Wanted smuggler Subhania killed in Gujarat shootout

An important member of an international smuggling syndicate and most wanted smuggler Haji Ali Ismail Subhania was shot dead in an encounter near Nandi village, in Gujarat, a few kilometres from the Maharashtra border, yesterday.

The 55-year-old smuggler, involved in several cases of smuggling mandrax, arms, gold, silver, electronic and telecom goods along the Gujarat and Maharashtra coastline, was killed by the Valsad district police when he crossed into Gujarat.

The police said he was probably heading towards Saurashtra.

Valsad Deputy Superintendent of Police Abhay Chudasma said, "On a tip-off, the police kept a watch on the interstate border. He was asked to stop his car but Subhania did not relent.

"Two police vans parked on the road obstructed his path and forced him to stop his car. He immediately opened fire on the police team."

In retaliation, police also opened fire and Subhania was killed. Two police personnel received minor injuries. Subhania was taken to Bhilad hospital but was declared brought dead.

The police recovered .32 bore English made pistol and a revolver made in Germany, personal diary and a pack of cigarettes and cash.

Meanwhile, talking to reporters here yesterday, Additional Commissioner of Police P.K. Jha said Subhania was an active member of international drug cartel and close to Iqbal Mirchi alias Langdo and Vicky Malhotra, who is currently in the custody of the Mumbai police.

Jha said Subhania was involved in the communal riots after the Mumbai serial blasts. He was also instrumental in bringing the RDX, used in the 1993 blasts, to Gosabara coast near Porbandar.

Absconder
Manufacturing mandrax

Though Haji Ali Ismail Subhania did not have direct links to underworld don Dawood Ibrahim, he was connected to the D-gang through various smuggling syndicates.

His ice factory in Salaya in Saurashtra was used to hide smuggled goods.

He used to acquire abandoned pharma factories in Valsad region and they were used for manufacturing mandrax that was smuggled to many African and South Eastern countries.

He jumped bail in a customs case and went underground and was absconding since 1987.