Top Abu Salem aide killed in encounter

MUMBAI, OCT 17: Sheikh Mohammed Anis, dreaded contract killer and key associate of Dubai-based gangster Abu Salem was killed in an encoun...

MUMBAI, OCT 17: Sheikh Mohammed Anis, dreaded contract killer and key associate of Dubai-based gangster Abu Salem was killed in an encounter with the police at Chembur this morning.

Anis was shot dead around 10 am near Ambedkar Garden in Chembur when he fired at a police party who were trying to arrest him in connection with trying to abduct a film actress on October 2 this month. The squad have recovered a loaded pistol from the spot.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (crime) Param Bir Singh said Sheikh was Salem’s key aide and handled operations in the city. He was very active in the city’s northern suburbs, said Singh.

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Another notorious gangster of Chhota Shakeel gang and TADA detenue was shot dead in an encounter with the police at Ghatkopar late last night.

Acting on a tip-off, a special squad attached to Crime Branch Unit-6 laid a trap for Mohammed Salim alias Haji Mohammed Salim near Shreyas Garden on LBS Marg at Ghatkopar (west). The gangster was to collect extortion money from a businessman inthe neighbourhood.

Salim showed up at around 10 pm and sensing danger opened fire at the police party. The sleuths returned fire, killing the gangster. A .38 revolver was recovered from his person, along with three live cartridges.

Salim, rushed to Rajawadi Hospital, was declared dead before admission.

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Salim was a TADA detenue and close of associate of Dr Jalees Ansari, key accused and mastermind in the 1993 serial bomb blasts in the city.

The Central Bureau of Investigation had announced a Rs 50,000 reward on Salim who had gone missing since 1993 and named in at least six bomb blasts in the city, including one at Detection and Crime Branch office at Bhoiwada.

Police sub-inspector Anil Shewale, N Pardesi, Bagadi, Ganesh Battu, Sanjay Sawant, comprised the squad supervised by Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime) D Shivanandan.