Modi says if he becomes PM he will hunt Dawood

The Newspaper's Correspondent Published April 28, 2014

NEW DELHI: BJP leader Narendra Modi has said if he wins the elections he would bring fugitive underworld don Dawood Ibrahim to India to be tried for the 1993 blasts in Mumbai.

He told a Gujarati news channel on Saturday that the previous administrations had not tried hard enough.

Dawood stands convicted in absentia in India for the blasts, together with several Mumbai accomplices. Several pro-Modi analysts, including former diplomats, are showing interest in targeting Pakistan-based clerics and other extremists allegedly involved in terror activities in India.

Mumbai’s DNA newspaper said on Sunday that a former police officer, who investigated the blasts, was of the firm opinion that the don could indeed be brought to India.

He told DNA: “Modi is a man of tremendous willpower and a go-getter. These qualities are needed at the top-most level to operationalise a plan to eject Dawood out of Pakistan.

“I am not saying this as a member of the BJP, but as a professional cop who has dealt with organised crime for several years. It should not be a difficult task.”

The paper said a 1993 plan was prepared by the Mumbai police to send a crack team of five highly motivated officers with fake passports to Karachi to eliminate Dawood. But, it said, New Delhi, then ruled by the Congress, never gave the go-ahead for this undercover operation.

DNA said Chhota Rajan, a sworn rival of Dawood, stated on Friday night that some years ago he had sent a hit squad, including Farid Tanasha and D.K. Rao, to Karachi to eliminate Dawood.

“Dawood was scheduled to come to offer prayers at a dargah near his home in Karachi. My boys were lying in wait. But he never turned up and the operation had to be called off,” he disclosed.

Sources in the intelligence community, however, told the paper that such an operation is not as simple as it appears. Dawood’s alleged chief lieutenant Chhota Shakeel had told DNA a few months ago that: “Dawoodbhai koyi halwa nahin hai ke usko uthake koi be le jaa sakta hai. (Dawood is not a piece of halwa that anyone can take him away).”

Pakistani diplomats have expressed their keenness to work with Mr Modi should he become prime minister. They have underscored his declaration of seeking peaceful ties with all countries as a pointer to his intentions towards Pakistan.

World

2026 'most likely' to be second-hottest year on record: EU monitor

Turkish parliament approves Makkah defence pact with Pakistan, Saudi Arabia

Indian Christians warn of attacks in West Bengal

Azmaish

Apr 28, 2014 09:52am

" Pakistani diplomats have expressed their keenness to work with Mr Modi should he become prime minister." Seriously? And just who are these anonymous "Pakistani"

Recommend 0

Vishwajeet

Apr 28, 2014 10:04am

I too hope so!

Recommend 0

anil

Apr 28, 2014 10:09am

Country expects a lot from you . Keep a note of these things , so that you won't forget.

Recommend 0

Medusa

Apr 28, 2014 10:23am

Speaking of Dawood whom Modi seems to claim very self assuredly that Dawood was behind the Mumbai attacks: Most Indians are in complete denial about the true facts surrounding the Mumbai tragedy, by naively taking at face value the Indian media's viciously false allegations and conspiracy against Pakistan or what the Indians claim is "Pakistani" involvement in the Mumbai killing fields. The Indian government has been grasping at straws, ie, was it "Kasab", or the American "Headley" or "Dawood", how about the Easter Bunny? Or as logic would conclude, the BJP, RSS, Shiv Sena? The following is from an interview in an Indian newspaper with a retired Mumbai Chief of Police, and this is his POV on the Mumbai tragedy: None of the Indian media bothered to investigate who the Hindu militant terrorists were at the time of this attack. Within minutes of the attack, the BJP Shiv Sena manipulated Indian media machine turned on Pakistan devoid of any concrete proof. This in itself should have been a red flag for any Indian with half a brain. FACT: The head of the India's anti-terror unit was a clear target of the Mumbai attacks which later a brave Indian news source investigated and logically concluded these attacks were executed by extremist Hindus who had the most to gain by taking down Hemant Karkare, Chief of the Mumbai Anti-Terrorist Squad. . It didn't make sense for any Pakistani to go after Karkare, a MUMBAI ATS head who was closing in on extremist Hindus who had Karkare in their line of fire. Karkare's entire focus was on bringing to justice militant HINDU terrorists, he was never interested in going after Pakistanis or Pakistan.

Recommend 0

Victor

Apr 28, 2014 10:41am

I hope Modi does bring Dawood Ibrahim to justice. There are lot of hopes on Modi and I hope he becomes PM and delivers what he promises.

Recommend 0

Peaceful Protestor

Apr 28, 2014 10:42am

Look who is talking! Is there anyone in India who would like to bring Modi to justice for committing genocide of Muslims in Gujrat?

Recommend 0

Shah

Apr 28, 2014 10:44am

"Pakistani diplomats have expressed their keenness to work with Mr Modi should he become prime minister. They have underscored his declaration of seeking peaceful ties with all countries as a pointer to his intentions towards Pakistan". Pakistani diplomats are either fools or completely incompetent. Modi and his supporters are die hard Pakistan haters. Election speeches are available on Internet.

Recommend 0

Hari

Apr 28, 2014 11:10am

@Medusa I guess then the CCTV footage was a fake and Kasab was a Hindu nationalist.. It is a known fact that Karkare was after Hindu extremists but any half brained man would know that no organization had to pull such a mass murder to target an individual. Karkare was killed with other police officers when he intercepted the terrorists.

Recommend 0

AKA

Apr 28, 2014 11:20am

Pakistan PM and his party also made a lot of commitments during elections but now after coming to power they have different point of view. Same is expected of Modi.

Recommend 0

Injunjoe

Apr 28, 2014 11:34am

@Shah If hating pakistan is a qualifier, most of the world would qualify.

Recommend 0

Malik Ajmal Khan

Apr 28, 2014 11:36am

@Azmaish His name is Jalil Abbas Gilani.

Recommend 0

Kolsat

Apr 28, 2014 11:45am

@Medusa: After reading your post I wondered about your state of mind.Dawood is responsible for the attack on Mumbai 20 years ago and not involved in the attack on Taj Hotel where Kasab was involved and caught on camera with rifle. Neither the BJP nor RSS or Shiv Sena were accused of being involved in any of these attacks. As a matter of fact people involved in the attack at the Taj Hotel are freely walking around in Pakistan. Pakistan has been accused by western nations of being an exporter of terrorism. So just keep quiet and watch.

Recommend 0

Bhat

Apr 28, 2014 11:57am

Haha. Funny ways to gain attention and illiterate votes. This is the void in South-Asian democracy. Anyone can run for anything at political front. Here merit hardly matters like it matters in developed countries like US or for that matter EnglandBh.

Recommend 0

UFO

Apr 28, 2014 11:57am

If Modi's price is more than Dawood can pay, then yes he would.

Recommend 0

Zak

Apr 28, 2014 12:07pm

@Injunjoe you mean, like China, Turkey, Middle East, South Korea, Japan etc- some members of ' friends of Pakistan'.

Recommend 0

Siddiq A

Apr 28, 2014 12:07pm

Though this is not about 26/11, Mumbai attacks in 2008, but about the bomb blasts earlier, here is a report in ET about the Mumbai attacks of 2008. http://tribune.com.pk/story/579244/mumbai-attacks-what-is-the-truth/

Recommend 0

Feroz

Apr 28, 2014 12:09pm

Should hunting criminals, terrorists and drug peddlers not be the job of every Government -- I sincerely believe it is. No PM can acclaim himself a hero for merely doing his job. I will oppose all attempts to make criminals, terrorists and drug peddlers, brothers and stakeholders.

Recommend 0

Raja Parekh

Apr 28, 2014 12:14pm

Instead of hunting down it would be better to get him and sing him so as Indian citizens would know who were the poiliticians were hand in gloves with him.

Recommend 0

Ahmed Shaikh

Apr 28, 2014 12:16pm

Says the guy who himself is accused of sectarianism!

Recommend 0

Indi.pendent

Apr 28, 2014 12:17pm

All covert operations also called false flag operations are used as a fourth generation war(media included), world over. So what the hoopla if India did it to make stringent POTA(prevention of terrorist activities) laws. It is India

Recommend 0

Baloch

Apr 28, 2014 12:21pm

That's all great... However, I believe Mohdi to be a hare monger! he hates MUSLIMS period! He now wants to erect a Mandir on the ruins of Baberi Masjid? He was responsible for enticing Gujrat violence; for his action he has been banned from Canada and has been denied entry a couple of times! It would be a dire catastrophe if he become the next Indian prime minister! Why don't the people vote for Rahul Ghandi? He is liberal, well educated, and highly commited...

Recommend 0

TooTrue

Apr 28, 2014 01:18pm

"The paper said a 1993 plan was prepared by the Mumbai police to send a crack team of five highly motivated officers" [...] I couldn't read beyond this sentence. I was laughing so hard I had to take a break.

Recommend 0

Imran

Apr 28, 2014 01:43pm

Careful Modi ji, Dawood may be thinking the same about you.

Recommend 0

fida sayani

Apr 28, 2014 01:44pm

Modi has a right to claim that he wants to bring Ibrahim to India for trial. Exactly the same way the family members of 2000 Muslims massacred in Gujarat has every right to avenge the death of their loved ones by taking Modi to courts for his hanging, If the so called Indian democracy will allow them. Which I doubt very much?

Recommend 0

siddharth

Apr 28, 2014 01:51pm

Need not worry about dawood Mr. modi. All know he is at a very safe place and enjoying. Why do you want to waste time on him. We have other issues to handle rather than Dawood. The day we become what we intend to become....we would defeat dawood and its handlers.

Recommend 0

Sameer

Apr 28, 2014 02:18pm

@fida sayani FYKI There was already a case running in the court against Modi and court cleared him out.

Recommend 0

Sami Ullah Swati

Apr 28, 2014 02:30pm

Since both Indians and Pakistanis are always active on Dawn supporting their positions where the key oucome by Paksitanis is that Pakistan is right in every respect, while the Indians claim that the picture portrayed by their media about Indo-Pakistan relationship is always right. Look guys: Both are independent countries created in 1947. Both should focus on thier own issues than thinking of crossing over the borders to pacify the ills of the other. You cannot re-draw the borders to do that guys. So mind your business and run your countries the way you like it.

Recommend 0

HbT

Apr 28, 2014 02:56pm

@Injunjoe Harsh but True.

Recommend 0

Raghu

Apr 28, 2014 03:20pm

All the best Namo!!! Khangress will be defeated because of it's inefficiency

Recommend 0

Nitin

Apr 28, 2014 03:37pm

@Medusa: Thought Kasab has admitted he was a Pakistani Terrorist, and this statement put Pakistan in immense Diplomatic pressure.

Recommend 0

Observer

Apr 28, 2014 03:42pm

@Medusa Similarly, do you also firmly believe that the state of Pakistan had no clue of Osama hiding in Pakistan and was in fact it was some western propaganda to defile Pakistan?

Recommend 0

Vijaysalem

Apr 28, 2014 03:43pm

@Bhat you know nothing about democracy. Indians hate it most when someone from countries like Pakistan, Afghanistan, Somalia try to compare themselves with Indians. Really compare your country with African nations.that will be a realistic thing to do.

Recommend 0

naveed

Apr 28, 2014 04:29pm

As long as Dawood and Hafeez Saeed are alive, Pakistan will bleed most importantly Karachi.

Recommend 0

Ajaya K Dutt

Apr 28, 2014 05:06pm

I hope Pakistan takes a turn and denies safe haven to terrorists. It shall be good for Pakistan, as a humane country, and may even change the focus and thus trajectory of development in Pakistan.

Recommend 0

Ajaya K Dutt

Apr 28, 2014 05:10pm

@Peaceful Protestor Those who wanted to "bring Modi to Justice" for political reasons, tried their best with all the resources but could not prove it in the court of justice even when it was obvious that court is slanted against Modi. Having said so does not mean that what happened in Godhara was not evil, perhaps even more evil than burning of Kar Sevaks.

Recommend 0

Shamsher Singh Bajwa

Apr 28, 2014 05:10pm

@Medusa " later a brave Indian news source investigated and logically concluded these attacks were executed by extremist Hindus who had the most to gain by taking down Hemant Karkare" - Can you please let all of us know what the name of t his report was? Pakistani authorities have already admitted that attacks came from Pakistan, they also agreed that Ajmal Kasab was a Pakistani on 7 January 2009. In November 2010, families of American victims of the attacks filed a lawsuit in Brooklyn, New York, naming Lt. Gen. Ahmed Shuja Pasha, chief of the I.S.I., as being complicit in the Mumbai attacks. On 22 September 2011, the attack on the American Embassy in Afghanistan, was attributed to Pakistan via cell phone records identical to the attacks in Mumbai, also linked to Pakistan. Only one being delusional is you my friend, and you are praying a very heavy price for your denial each day...

Recommend 0

Ajaya K Dutt

Apr 28, 2014 05:13pm

@Baloch Even Akbar allowed Hindus to worship within four walls of Babri Masjid.

Recommend 0

Ajaya K Dutt

Apr 28, 2014 05:16pm

@Imran There are lot of people thinking that way. I pray and hope, for the safety of millions and millions of innocent Pakistanis, of course Indians too, that it does not happen. But, there is a good chance that another Parliament attack may happen. Important thing is that now safe havens must be denied so that India does not think that use of force is the only option left.

Recommend 0

sameer

Apr 28, 2014 05:18pm

@naveed Are you Pakistani. If yes, I must say pakistani started thinking rationally , so on the path of progress.

Recommend 0

The Doctor

Apr 28, 2014 05:33pm

Hopefully this isn't just empty words from a prime ministerial candidate. They usually say one thing but forget what they say when elected.

Recommend 0

Azmat Khan

Apr 28, 2014 05:46pm

Please look at Modi,s intent.If he is elected as Indian PM he can come to Pakistan in chase of Dawood Ibrahim.Please think over it.

Recommend 0

Apr 28, 2014 06:03pm

It is good to see that most in Pakistan are emotionally involved in Indian election. They also want that any group other than Modi should form the government. But reality is, Modi is winning and he will be the next PM of India.

Recommend 0

Ebrahim

Apr 28, 2014 06:27pm

Modi, be careful sometimes hunters get hunted! Take care before you act. The way Modi acts/speaks does not seem to be from high profile and respectable person. This childish attitude may be block his way to PM Office.

Recommend 0

Khurram Jadoon

Apr 28, 2014 06:43pm

Can we say his name loud without any security around him? Joke ..

Recommend 0

kashif

Apr 28, 2014 06:49pm

Hunt him or Feed him....he one of India's created escape goats like Shiv Sena ans many other. so in other words Moor ky laylo apna Moodi chacha...

Recommend 0

Zak

Apr 28, 2014 06:57pm

@Vijaysalem you are right, Pakistan should not compare as it is far better , an Indian economist professor at Cornell university did a report on South Asia and India was just better than Afghanistan and it fell behind everyone else.

Recommend 0

Youth

Apr 28, 2014 07:02pm

If by chance he is elected, he will forget all of his promises. Dawood may be sitting next to him. Dawood became Dawood because of the corrupt Indian politicians & police officers. He was not living a pious life in India what then prevented his arrest.

Recommend 0

priyanka

Apr 28, 2014 07:05pm

as a indian i can confirm that modi did not said thatlike that , he only said he can put more professional efforts rather than effecting any politicts to do this work, he did not promise anything to people like other parties........

Recommend 0

Vee

Apr 28, 2014 08:14pm

@Shah these are some diplomatic statements, the inside always differs

Recommend 0

Dr. Malek Towghi /Tauqee

Apr 28, 2014 09:00pm

@Victor ... Amen

Recommend 0

Parvez

Apr 28, 2014 10:13pm

So how may votes did that get him ????

Recommend 0

Nasr

Apr 28, 2014 10:14pm

Modi will be a disaster for the Indo Pak subcontinent. His past is not clean and I still remember the secret taken video of him regarding Gujrat Killing

Recommend 0

Apr 28, 2014 10:14pm

@TooTrue you laughed like this when the US sneaked and killed bin laden, who was hiding under your nose. May be you put too much faith in your establishment. Time to get a reality check boy.

Recommend 0

Nasr

Apr 28, 2014 11:07pm

Modi's Hands have been soaked in a blood bath of the Muslims. A leader with blood on his hand will greatly tarnish the image of the world's largest democracy. Not a single Muslim should vote for this culprit, A RADICAL KILLER

Recommend 0

zack

Apr 29, 2014 12:22am

@Peaceful Protestor I agree with you.

Recommend 0

zack

Apr 29, 2014 12:26am

@Zak Pakistan has no friend, not even a Pakistani is a friend of Pakistan. Sad! but true!. None of our friend has ever sided with us on any issue including Kashmir...

Recommend 0

iftekharhussain

Apr 29, 2014 12:28am

You have little brains, is Dawood Ibrahim more important to you than more than 20 crores of Muslims in India, they all are afraid like anything, I have like many other relatives there and they are really afraid, and your small wisdom is just searching for Dawood.

Recommend 0

Black Sabbath

Apr 29, 2014 02:39am

@Medusa: Modi is talking about the Mumbai serial bomb blasts in 1993 & not 2008 terrorist attacks. Your comments are hilarious & you talking about denial is even more hilarious when the whole world, including the Pakistani govt have long accepted that Pakistanis were behind the 2008 Mumbai attacks.

Recommend 0

Injunjoe

Apr 29, 2014 05:56am

@Zak Next time, instead of making up stuff, please provide details on who, what, when, where and why.

Recommend 0

Whistle

Apr 29, 2014 06:16am

@Nasr Note that Indian Muslims are very matured sensible, enjoying their freedom in India and know whom to vote.

Recommend 0

sri

Apr 29, 2014 06:28am

Modi stopped the riots that was killing thousands. He has done a good job.

Recommend 0

Shash

Apr 29, 2014 08:35am

can any one guess where is Dawood ?

Recommend 0

Lokesh

Apr 29, 2014 12:10pm

DAWN ko aur koi pic nahi milti modi ki... Jab dekho darane wali pic daal dete hai.. is it a tactics to create one's image ???

Recommend 0

Blitzer

Apr 29, 2014 02:11pm

@Injunjoe If all you can do is hate Pakistan, may I ask why are you so interested in newspapers based out of Pakistan? Does your beloved country not have a single, quality newspaper that you keep coming to Dawn.com time and again?

Recommend 0

gary

Apr 29, 2014 02:12pm

@Shah You people are no better. Last sixty odd years that is the only thing you are doing, bleeding India. No wonder you are in a mess.

Recommend 0

vijay,salem

Apr 29, 2014 02:52pm

@Zak i really appreciate your sense of humour.

Recommend 0

Ajamal

Apr 29, 2014 04:08pm

Would Mr. Modi bring to justice perpetrators of riots in his backyard, Gujrat? As for Pakistan, there is no love for Dawood Ibrahim.

Recommend 0

gary

Apr 29, 2014 04:27pm

@Ajamal Nobody trusts Pakistanis.

Recommend 0

sri

Apr 29, 2014 05:21pm

@Ajamal already done.

Recommend 0

Mauren

Apr 29, 2014 08:13pm

Not a fan of Modi, his beliefs, actions or politics. However, Pakistanis want their own leaders to wear their religion on the sleeves and spout anti-India rhetoric. At the same time, they want Indians to elect secular leaders who will be friends of Pakistan. It does not add up...

Recommend 0

gopal

Apr 29, 2014 09:21pm

@Azmat Khan Better to talk less and prove by action.

Recommend 0

shubham mishra

Apr 30, 2014 12:14am

@Baloch becoz he is dumb and idiot ,have u seen his interviews

Recommend 0

Shankar

Apr 30, 2014 11:14am

Dawood is a proclaimed terrorist, had created great destruction in Mumbai. We, in India ,believe he has been safe haven in Pakistan! Pakistan, of course, denies it, though his daughter is supposed to have married Javed Miandad's son in Pakistan/Dubai. Most Pakistanis responding in this blog seem to be agitated about Modi wanting to go after him. Why? Is it because he is Muslim and a Muslim can kill any number of non-Muslims without impunity? It reminds me of how Pakistan mourned the death of OBL instead of celebrating it! God, we two countries are so divergent!

Recommend 0

Rob

Apr 30, 2014 11:36am

Long live modi

Recommend 0

HINDIHINDUHINDUSTAN

Apr 30, 2014 10:19pm

@fida sayani In Gujrat right, firstly some muslims burned a bogy of train which are sited 58 innocent hindu So, this is called that reaction of action

Recommend 0

May 01, 2014 08:08am

@fida sayani Modi has been tried and acquitted for his role in 2002 riots. Several Hindus have been convicted. You may not realize but Congress was in power in the center in the last 10 years and Modi is their opponent and they did everything possible o prove Modi guilty but since there was no truth to the claim that he was in any way involved with inciting the riots he was acquitted.

Recommend 0

abdul

May 01, 2014 11:33am

@Medusa How can you say such a baseless argument. Had it been the fact, Pakistani politicians, diplomats and officials must have pointed it out repeatedly. Because as logic say, they would have defended their country's image. Conspiracy theorist?

Recommend 0