'Arrested terror suspects associated with Dawood Ibrahim'

The duo, Abdul Latif alias Guddu (29) and Riyaz Ali alias Rehan (23), residents of suburban Bandra and Dahisar respectively, were arrested near Matunga railway station in central Mumbai on March 13.

The duo's instructor called 'Uncle', who had directed the two to carry out attacks in select locations, is an Indian and is a real uncle of Latif, the official said.

"The 'Uncle' is also a close aide of Dawood and had escaped to Pakistan following the 1993 serial bomb blasts triggered by the don, who has links with various terror outfits and ISI in Pakistan," the official added.
Riyaz and Abdul are also close relatives as the latter had married the former's elder sister eight years ago, he said.

The 'Uncle' used to call Latif as and when required to give instructions but in the last two months their interaction over the phone had become more regular, the official said.
The two accused had conducted a recce of three targets, headquarters of public sector company ONGC, Thakkar Mall and Mangaldas Market -- and were allegedly planning to carry out attacks which included sabotage and setting them on fire.