DNA

• Underworld says yes, but intel sources say no place outside Pakistan is safe for him

Mumbai, Dec 8: Where is India’s most wanted? If the city underworld is to be believed, Dawood Ibrahim has left his Karachi den, along with his family, and taken refuge on a tiny island near the coast of South Africa.

About his close aide and second in command, Chhota Shakeel, rumours have it that he too has made a move from Karachi to Saudi Arabia.

Scribes in Karachi confirmed that hectic activities had been noticed at Dawood’s bungalow in the posh Defence Colony on October 30 and 31 - just days before President Pervez Musharaf declared a state of Emergency in Pakistan.

“Several ISI operatives were seen hovering around the bungalow for two days. But ever since they left, the premises had worn a deserted took,” said a Karachi journalist.

According to underworld sources, the tiny island where Dawood has docked is owned by a rich Saudi businessman. The Don is masquerading as a member of the owner’s family.

Intelligence sour-ces confirmed that there were moves afloat to relocate the fugitive after he was declared a banned international terrorist by the UNO last year, but they doubted whether Dawood would be hiding in the isalnd, which is a vulnerable target. 

“He may have changed  appearance, and taken up a new identity, but no place outside Pakistan would be safe enough for him,” said  Joginder Singh, a former CBI director.