Dawoods met again at sea

MUMBAI: Dawood Ibrahim’s involvement in the 1993 terror strike is corroborated by the revelation that he had briefed the landing agents, whose role was central to the smuggling of arms and explosives for the attack, police said.

The meeting between the gangster and agents Dawood Phanse and Imtiyaz Ghaute took place on the high seas off Raigad, just days before the deadly consignment landed at Shekhadi. While Phanse has been found guilty of facilitating the smuggling, Ghaute’s verdict is yet to be pronounced.

A police officer told DNA: “Ghaute and Phanse met Javed Chikna, Anwar Theba, and one Shafee at a soda water factory owned by Chikna in Mahim.” It was decided there that the duo should proceed to Shekhadi.  

Phanse, who worked for Dawood's smuggling syndicate, first visited Dubai, where he was taken to the gangster by 'Tiger' Memon. While conferring with the underworld don, Phanse secured confirmation that Memon was authorised to use the gang's network.

Later, the Raigad meeting took place just out of Indian waters, at which details of the landing were worked out.