India seeks Pakistani info on wanted man

NEW DELHI, Aug. 9 (UPI) -- India has asked Pakistan to confirm reports claiming the man it wants for the 1993 Mumbai bombings is in the Pakistani city of Karachi.

The country's Central Bureau of Investigation wrote a letter to Pakistan's Federal Investigation Bureau asking it to confirm the presence of Dawood Ibrahim, who has been named a global terrorist by the United States, said a CBI spokesman.

Dawood is India's most-wanted man for his alleged involvement in 1993 Mumbai serial blasts that killed more than 250 people.

The CBI asked Pakistan whether Ibrahim was detained in Karachi following a scuffle with the Pakistani mafia in the port city. A copy of the letter also was sent to the Interior Ministry of Pakistan.

Earlier this week Indian media reported that Pakistani security agencies detained Ibrahim and his close associate, Chhota Shakeel. The reports also said Pakistan's Inter Service Intelligence took both men into custody.

An unnamed CBI official said though the agency did not expect any confirmation from Pakistan, the move is aimed at putting the matter on record.