US slaps sanctions on Dawood

Dawood Ibrahim is suspected to have masterminded the 1993 Mumbai blasts which killed over 200 people. He is also suspected to have forged links with terrorist groups operating in Jammu and Kashmir and elsewhere.

India believes Dawood is working under the direction of Pakistan8217;s ISI and has also taken refuge in the neighbouring country. In fact, the US decision to impose sanctions on him was preceded by it8217;s declaration in 2003 that he was a 8216;8216;global terrorist8217;8217;.

The new list specifically mentions Dawood and his network in India, Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates. After fleeing India, the don had set up his offices in Dubai from where he controlled his criminal empire in India.

The Kingpin Act

The law targets foreign narcotics traffickers, their organisations and operatives worldwide. They are denied access to US financial system and all trade and transactions involving US companies. The governments of the countries in which these traffickers are based are however not penalised.