Author: S Balakrishnan
Publication: The Times of India
Date: December 4, 2008
URL: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Dawood_confident_Pak_establishment_wont_touch_him/articleshow/3789890.cms
Even as India seeks Dawood Ibrahim's extradition
yet again, the don is ensconced safely in his plush bungalow in Karachi.
Security agency sources told TOI on Wednesday
that it's business as usual for the underworld kingpin. A few days ago, a
couple of his relatives, including Salim Ansari, flew to Pakistan (using their
valid Indian passports) to meet him. Sources said the don was so confident
that he would not be touched by the Pakistani establishment that he had made
no changes in his daily routine.
He continues to phone his contacts in Mumbai.
Recently, a contact who fronts for him in the real estate business reportedly
sent Rs 120 crore via hawala, sources in the government stated. The hawala
channel between Mumbai and Karachi remains busy.
Indian security agencies are keeping close
tabs on Dawood's movements, as are their counterparts in the US intelligence
establishment. It's on the basis of detailed inputs from them that India maintains
that Dawood Ibrahim is in Pakistan. But central agencies question why the
Maharashtra government has not taken any action against the D-company here.
"What's the point of asking Islamabad
to hand over Dawood when we're not doing anything to destroy his empire in
Mumbai and other places in India?" a senior official asked.
Mohammed Ali, who holds sway in the docks
and is a key member of the Dawood Ibrahim network, continues to operate with
impunity. Even after the November 26 terror attacks, his smuggling racket
remains unchecked. Despite strong indications that it provided logistical
assistance to the attackers, the police insist there was no local support.
At the same time, they do not rule out Dawood Ibrahim's involvement.
Meanwhile, security agencies are hoping the
US will move on Lashkar-e-Taiba leaders, including Abu Hamza and Hafeez Syed.
An email sent to a TV channel was traced to an LeT hideout near Muridke in
Pakistan's Punjab province. The phone intercepts of the LeT terrorists who
executed the Mumbai massacre also reveal their links to Pakistan and Bangladesh.
