Delhi Police bust terror module allegedly linked to Dawood syndicate

Delhi Police's Special Cell has busted an alleged terror module linked to the Dawood Ibrahim syndicate and arrested eight persons. Investigators claim the network planned attacks in Delhi and Mumbai, with operations allegedly coordinated through associates based in Karachi

New Delhi: The Special Cell of the Delhi Police has busted a major terror module allegedly being run by the Dawood Ibrahim syndicate. The module was planning to carry out attacks in Delhi and Mumbai, police said after arresting eight persons.

During the questioning of the accused, one point that emerged was that Clifton Road in Karachi continues to serve as a safe house for underworld don Dawood Ibrahim.

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The accused told police that they mainly interacted with a key aide of Dawood Ibrahim, Muddasar Hussain Sayyed, alias Munna Jhingada. An official said the fact that the operation was allegedly being handled from the Clifton Road area indicated that Dawood Ibrahim was residing there. “This is his most well-known address and the ISI keeps him there as it is considered the safest location for him. Dawood has many other addresses in Pakistan, but for major operations, he operates from Karachi as it is considered the safest place for him in the country,” the official said.

The official further claimed that Dawood has five addresses, all in Karachi. While the main one is at Clifton, near the Saudi Mosque in Karachi, the others are in the Defence Housing Authority, the Noorbad area and the 617 CP Berar Society. “In fact, he has two addresses in Clifton itself,” the official said.

Another official said the probe into the recently busted module revealed that many of Dawood’s close aides reside around him. The drug operations or terror modules allegedly being set up are monitored from the Clifton area near the Saudi Mosque in Karachi, the official claimed.

Following Operation Sindoor, there were reports that Dawood Ibrahim had been shifted out of his usual locations. An Intelligence Bureau official claimed that he was moved among the five addresses briefly to avoid being targeted by Indian armed forces. However, once the threat perception eased, he returned to his Clifton address, the official added.

Officials also claimed that the location is strategic and secure. According to them, the ISI’s regional directorate in Karachi oversees his protection. Although the ISI’s national headquarters is based in Islamabad, Karachi houses a large regional directorate, officials said.

The probe by Delhi Police also allegedly revealed that several ISI officials were part of the planning. They would regularly meet Jhingada and provide instructions on carrying out attacks in India, investigators claimed.

Investigators said the primary targets of the module were Delhi and Mumbai. They were allegedly planning attacks in other cities depending on the success of the first wave of attacks.

Jhingada allegedly established the command centre near Dawood’s residence. This centre was being monitored by ISI officials, investigators claimed. They allegedly ensured that operations ran smoothly and provided security for the premises, an official said.

The accused told investigators that Jhingada and his associates monitored every aspect of the operation, from recruitment to the procurement of arms. The Dawood syndicate had allegedly earmarked Rs 20 lakh for the module upon the successful completion of the operation.

Officials said the accused were not being treated as ordinary terror operatives. According to investigators, the operation appeared to be a targeted assignment in which the underworld was allegedly involved at the behest of the ISI.

The probe further revealed that the ISI allegedly ensured that weapons reached India safely. Jhingada, with the help of alleged ISI operatives, managed to drop hand grenades in Gurdaspur, Punjab, investigators claimed.

Delhi Police seized a large cache of weapons and hand grenades during the operation. The plan was to hurl grenades at important locations, the probe found. Such an operation is relatively easy to execute and cost-effective, an official said.

The accused also reportedly enquired about their exit plan after carrying out the attacks. Jhingada allegedly assured them of safe passage into Nepal, following which they would be flown to Dubai.