Dubai police detains Chhota Shakeel's brother accused in 1993 Mumbai blast

Mumbai, Dec 16 (UNI) Dubai police had detained Anwar Babu Sheikh, brother of gangster Chhota Shakeel, sources in Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) confirmed here on Sunday.

Anwar, an absconding accused in the 1993 Mumbai blast case, was detained and questioned by the Dubai Police at Abu Dhabi Airport, ATS sources said.

After search and interrogation, the Dubai Police is understood to have recovered a Pakistani passport from Anwar, raising questions on his extradition to India.

Mumbai and Thane police sources claimed that Anwar has links with Pakistan's intelligence agency ISI.

Anwar is accused of several terror acts in India and also wanted in connection with several offences in Mumbai and Thane.

A red corner notice was also issued against him and declared as a proclaimed offender by the designated Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (TADA), ATS officials said here.

Gangster Chhota Shakeel, is considered the trusted right hand of fugitive don Dawood Ibrahim Kaskar.

Both Indian and Pakistani embassies in UAE are said to be in touch with the Dubai authorities seeking Anwar’s deportation to their respective countries.

Earlier this year, Thane Anti-Extortion Cell chief Pradeep Sharma, had arrested a couple of persons for illegally keeping several AK-56 army assault rifles in their Mumbai suburban home in Goregaon.

Subsequent investigations by the Anti-Terrorist Squad here revealed that the weapons may have been procured and used by Anwar during the December 1993-January 1994.

Meanwhile, in view of Anwar’s Pakistani passport, there was no clarity whether he would be repatriated to India or not.