The name of Indian national Dawood Ibrahim has surged in social media discussions following reports from Indian media asserting that he has allegedly been poisoned in Karachi. According to these reports, Ibrahim is currently in critical condition and receiving medical care at a hospital.
Who is Dawood Ibrahim?
Dawood Ibrahim is one of the most wanted men in the Indian underworld who has been declared a terrorist for his association with Al-Qaeda by the United Nations Security Council and the United States.
The 67-year-old is considered to be a criminal kingpin and large-scale drug runner, and in 2003 was placed on a list of global terrorists by the US, which described him as a “son of a police constable (who) has reigned as one of the pre-eminent criminals in the Indian underworld for most of the past two decades”.
As per media reports, he joined the mob in Mumbai under Karim Lala before setting up a multi-billion-dollar criminal enterprise in the ’80s and ’90s, centered around prostitution, gambling, and drugs.
In 1986, he fled to Dubai to avoid criminal prosecution but continued to remain a key figure in the city’s criminal web.
Ibrahim has also been linked to a drug-smuggling operation, shipping narcotics in the UK and Western Europe on a large scale, and is the head of D-Company – a Mumbai-based crime syndicate.
In 1993, he was named by the Indian government as a criminal behind the Mumbai attacks, during which 12 coordinated bombs were detonated across the city, killing 25 and injuring 700.
He was also suspected to be involved in the 2008 Mumbai attacks, which left more than 170 people dead. India asked Pakistan to hand over 20 fugitives after the attacks, including Dawood Ibrahim.
In 2010, Ibrahim made Forbes’ The World’s 10 Most Wanted list, with many attempts being made to locate him.
Where is Dawood Ibrahim now?
While Dawood Ibrahim is still at large, the Indian government and media claim that he is living in Pakistan and Pakistani inelegance agency ISI is providing shelter to him.
The government of Pakistan has categorically denied the blame of India in this regard.
Indian Media’s new claim about Dawood Ibrahim?
On Monday, reports surfaced in the Indian media suggesting that Dawood Ibrahim had been hospitalized in Karachi, allegedly due to poisoning. The 67-year-old underworld figure is said to be in critical condition, prompting heightened security measures around the hospital by Pakistani authorities. As of now, there is no official confirmation from either India or Pakistan regarding Dawood’s health status.
According to some sources, Dawood was admitted to the hospital two days ago, purportedly after being poisoned by one of his associates. Although certain Indian media outlets are speculating about Dawood Ibrahim’s demise following the poisoning, it’s important to note that there is no authentic confirmation or official report to substantiate these claims at this time.