Dawood Ibrahim: Mastermind Behind 1993 Bomb Blasts and 2008 Mumbai Attacks

In the chronicles of Dawood Ibrahim’s life, born on December 26, 1955, in a quaint village in Maharashtra’s Ratnagiri district, unfolds a narrative of intrigue and illicit ventures. Bearing the full name Dawood Ibrahim Kaskar, his early years were immersed in the Dongri neighborhood of Mumbai, which later metamorphosed into the epicenter of his clandestine activities.

Embarking on a Criminal Odyssey:

Abandoning formal education at a tender age, Dawood delved into a world of crime. The corridors of Mumbai’s underworld welcomed him, bringing him into contact with Haji Mastan, a prominent figure in the city’s criminal echelons during the 1970s. In the crucible of 1970, Dawood, in collaboration with his brother Shabir Ibrahim Kaskar, forged the notorious D Company. Today, D Company stands as a hub for international drug trafficking, weapons smuggling, and organized crime. Dawood’s personal life intertwined with mystery as he married Mahjabeen Sheikh, alias Jubeena Jareen, and became a father to three children. Although details of his marriage remain elusive, a notable event occurred in 2006 when Dawood’s daughter, Mahrukh Ibrahim, wed Junaid Miandad, son of the renowned Pakistani cricketer Javed Miandad.

Building a Web Beyond D Company:

Dawood’s criminal empire extended beyond D Company, involving kin and confidants in an array of illicit pursuits. His network burgeoned, encompassing drug trafficking, contested land transactions, construction ventures, hawala dealings, and participation in contentious business dealings. During this epoch, Dawood’s influence reached into cricket betting and film financing. In 1986, he transplanted his operations from Mumbai to Dubai, propelling D Company’s unlawful pursuits on a grander scale. The tumultuous events of 1992, marked by the demolition of the Babri Masjid, stoked communal tensions nationwide, triggering riots in Mumbai.

Becoming India’s Most Sought-After Criminal Post-1993 Blasts:

Following these tumultuous occurrences, Dawood found himself under mounting pressure to retaliate. Hussein Zaidi’s ‘Black Friday’ unveils Dawood’s orchestration of the 1993 bomb blasts in Mumbai, claiming 257 lives and propelling him to the apex of India’s Most Wanted Gangsters. Subsequent to these heinous acts, Dawood refrained from returning to India, establishing his residence in Karachi, Pakistan.

Involvement in the 2008 Mumbai Attacks:

In Pakistan, Dawood cultivated close ties with the ISI and Lashkar-e-Taiba. Covert revelations unfolded a dark chapter in 2008 when D Company, under Dawood’s helm, provided training to terrorists involved in the Mumbai attacks. The toll was severe, with 173 lives lost. The U.S. government alleged connections between D Company, Osama bin Laden, and al-Qaeda. Dawood Ibrahim was subsequently branded an international terrorist, leading to the confiscation of his assets across various nations.

Legacy of a Dangerous Figure:

Forbes, in a damning portrayal, lists Dawood Ibrahim among the world’s most perilous gangsters. In 2015, his amassed wealth amounted to $6.7 billion, a shadow compared to only one – Pablo Escobar, whose fortune reached $9 billion.