With Dawood Ibrahim’s presence in Pakistan confirmed on tape by Western Intelligence agencies, India on Saturday asked Islamabad to hand over the underworld don saying enough evidence have been given to the neighbouring country on the prime accused in the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts.
“This latest evidence has made our case stronger,” Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju said. Rijiju said Pakistan should cooperate with India in fight against terrorism if it was serious. “We want it to act on evidence,” he said.
Congress leader Manish Tewari said the ruling BJP Government should now take tough actions to bring Dawood back to India. The latest Indian demand comes in the wake of Western Intelligence agencies confirming Dawood continued presence in Pakistan and his flourishing syndicate operating from his safe havens there.
Pakistan has been denying his presence in the country for years. Rijiju said India’s stand has been very clear for a long time that Dawood has been in Pakistan and he has been living in Karachi. “We have been asking to hand him over to India for a long time. Already many evidence have been given to Pakistan. Pakistan should now act and hand him over to us,” he told reporters.
In lucknow, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said Dawood is India’s most wanted terrorist and India has repeatedly asked Pakistan to hand him over to it. “Wait and watch,” Singh said without elaborating, when asked when India can get hold of him.
The comments came amidst reports which suggested that Dawood is running his business empire with impunity and the billions he makes are being spent in terror operations around the globe.
“Dawood has been tracked in Karachi, alive and kicking, and is heard expanding his real estate business,” web-portal NewsMobile said based on tapes received from western diplomatic sources.