On Wednesday when a Mumbai link to the busting of an ISI-backed terror module by the Delhi police surfaced, the Maharashtra Anti Terrorist Squad (ATS) denied that any reconnaissance had been done in Mumbai by the arrested terrorists and said that the country’s commercial capital was “absolutely safe”.
After the Special Cell of the Delhi police arrested six persons, the Crime branch sleuths of the Mumbai police and Maharashtra Anti Terrorism Squad (ATS) said that one of the six arrested persons -- Jaan Mohammed Shaikh alias Sameer Kalia - who was part of a “Pakistan-based terror module” -- was from the financial capital of Mumbai.
Talking to media persons, State ATS Chief Vineet Agrawal said that no reconnaissance had been done in Mumbai nor had any weapons or explosives found in the wake of the Delhi Police Special Cell busting a terror module.
“We keep getting terror alerts, but as far as this case is concerned, Mumbai and Maharashtra are safe,” Agrwal said.
According to the ATS chief, Shaikh took a train from Mumbai Central for Hazrat Nizamuddin in Delhi on September 13 and he was arrested by a Delhi Police team at Kota in Rajasthan on Tuesday. “It was their case and operation,” Agrawal said.
“We are coordinating with Delhi Police in this regard on a regular basis and a team is leaving for the national capital to seek Shaikh's custody for interrogation by the Police here,” rhe State ATS chief said
“We have asked for a FIR copy from the Delhi police to know more about the case. We want to know the exact conspiracy or terror plans and will also share whatever information we have with Delhi Police,” Agrawal said.
Meanwhile, the Mumbai crime branch sleuths and State ATS have learned that Jaan Mohammed Shaikh, a resident of Dharavi slum in north-central Mumbai, lived with his family in a small one-room tenement and worked as a driver.
Jaan Mohammed Shaikh’s wife and two daughters were taken to the Dharavi police station and questioned.Shaikh is allegedly linked to the family of fugitive underworld don and 1993 Mumbai serial blasts mastermind Dawood Ibrahim, who is a designated global terrorist.
Official sources said that Shaikh was in touch with Anees Ibrahim, the younger brother of Dawood Ibrahim.
“He worked as a driver and was a quiet fellow…this news comes as a big shock to us,” said Fayyaz, who is his friend said. Shaikh was brought up in Dharavi. “His parents stayed here, they have passed away,” a lady neighbour said.
In a related development, Maharashtra home minister Dilip Walse-Patil held a high-level meeting with officials including Mumbai Police commissioner Hemant Nagrale and additional director general of police and State ATS chief Vineet Agarwal.
“Some terror suspects have been arrested from Delhi & other parts of the country. A meeting was held in which officials gave me all the necessary information,” the State Home Minister said.
"The matter is sensitive in nature and we cannot reveal any more information at this time as it may hamper the investigation," Patil said.