An investigation agency goes after the Dawood Gang and arrests gangster Chhota Shakeel's aides

Arif Abubakar Shaikh (59) and Shabbir Abubakar Shaikh (59) have been named as the arrested suspects (aged 51).

A top NIA official revealed, "Both were involved in handling D-Company criminal activities and terrorist financing in the western suburbs of Mumbai."

They would be brought before an NIA special court on Friday, he said.

"According to investigations, the entire syndicate is controlled by the Dawood gang from over the border. We've already called 21 people to explain their responsibilities "a source stated

NIA searched 24 locations in Mumbai Commissionerate and five locations in Mira Road Bhayandar Commissionerate earlier this week.

"We seized a lot of evidence in the form of electronic devices, real estate documents, cash, and firearms," an official explains. "One by one, we will summon people from whose locations items have been recovered and seek explanation."

According to NIA officials, Salim Qureshi alias Salim Fruit, Suhail Khandwani, the managing trustee of Mahim and Haji Ali dargahs, Sameer Hingorani, alleged hawala operator Abdul Kayyum, alleged bookie-turned-builder Ajay Ghosaliya alias Ajay Ganda, Mobida Bhiwandiwala, Guddu Pathan, and restaurateur Aslam Sarodia

In conjunction with the NIA case filed on February 3 of this year, the investigating agency conducted raids in 29 locations across Mumbai and its surrounding regions.

The case concerns Dawood Ibrahim Kaskar and his collaborators, including Haji Anees alias Anees Ibrahim Shaikh, Shakeel Shaikh alias Chhota Shakeel, Javed Patel alias Javed Chikna, and Ibrahim Mushtaq Abdul Razzaq Memon aka Tiger Memon, as well as the international terrorist network of D-Company.

They are accused of engaging in arms trafficking, narco-terrorism, money laundering, and the dissemination of FICN, as well as the unauthorised possession and acquisition of critical assets for the purpose of raising terror financing.

The FIR also claims that the D-Company has formed a specific team tasked with instilling fear in the Indian people by targeting renowned figures such as politicians, businesspeople, and others with fatal weapons.

Ibrahim and his colleagues are also planning to provoke and trigger situations that could lead to violence in other regions of India, including Delhi, Mumbai, and other major cities, according to the central agency.

In 2003, India and the United States labelled Dawood Ibrahim as a worldwide terrorist and placed a $25 million bounty on his death for his suspected role in the 1993 Bombay bombings. Extortion, homicide, and smuggling are among the charges against him.