‘Dawood role in right-wing killings’

India’s most wanted fugitive terrorist Dawood Ibrahim Kaskar is learnt to be behind the targeted killings of BJP and other right wing leaders and activists in the country, including Karnataka, through his right hand man Patel Javed Dawood, alias Tailor, alias Javed Chikna, who lives in Karachi with Dawood under the protection of Pakistan’s ISI, said top Intelligence sources.

Chikna, as he was called in the underworld is Dawood’s chief lieutenant from the days of the infamous 1993 Mumbai serial blasts. He is accused (absconding) number 64 in the chargesheet. He fled to Pakistan soon after the blasts and now allegedly lives in Karachi, close to Dawood, under the ISI protection. “Chikna hires sharpshooters from India to kill targeted BJP and right wing members and leaders. He is reportedly behind the murders of Bajrang Dal member and anti-cow slaughter activist Prashanth Poojary in Moodbidri in Dakshin Kannada district on October 9 and former president of BJP’s Bharuch (Gujarat) unit, Shirish Bangali, and general secretary of the BJP youth wing, Pragnesh Mistry in Bharuch last month,” said the official source.

Poojary was killed in broad daylight by six bike-borne men. Mangaluru police have so far arrested 10 out of 17 accused, who are allegedly members of a “socially committed” voluntary organisation. “Their links with Chikna are under scanner,” the officer added.

Chikna is also allegedly behind the recent near fatal attacks on three other people in coastal Karnataka - Ashok and Vasu in Handel near Moodbidri and Jaya Kotiyan in nearby Permude village, after mistaking them as “saffron and anti-cow slaughter activists,” said the officer on condition of anonymity. In Gujarat, the police have handed over the contract killings to the National Investigation Agency (NIA). Box: Interpol alert for Chikna Main accused in 1993 Mumbai serial blasts - Tiger Memon and Javed Dawood Tailor alias Javed Chikna were ‘influential’ residents of Mahim, the worst-affected area in the post-Babri Masjid-demolition communal riots in Mumbai in 1993. While Tiger had lost his business, Chikna had suffered bullet injuries and both vowed to avenge the riots in Mumbai with Dawood as the mastermind. Tiger escaped to Dubai on March 11, 1993 – a day before the serial blasts, while Chikna fled to Pakistan soon after the terror attacks. He is accused (absconding) number 64 in the case and has a Red Corner Notice against him by the Interpol.