Shaikh Ali Shaikh Umar, 41, went to Dubai for weapons training, but came back midway after his father’s demise. Umar was a part of the group that identified the places to be bombed on March 12, 1993. He was arrested by the police on March 29 the same year. Excerpts from his confessional statement:
“My house was destroyed in the riots during December (1992). Javed Chikna and I knew each other since he used to live in my neighbourhood.
“In February, Javed asked me if I had a passport and was willing to do something ‘daring’; he asked if any of my other friends would be interested. A few days later, I, along with Gul Mohammed, went to Tiger Memon’s house in Mahim.
“In the first week of February (1993), Javed, Anwar, Imtiyaz, Farookh and I left for an undisclosed location. We drove on muddy roads till we reached the highway. In the night, we were told to return to Mumbai as the consignments were delayed. On February 12, we left for Dubai. But I had to return as my father expired a few days after had I left.
“After the group returned from Dubai, we went on a trip with Tiger around Mumbai in a Maruti car to check out the possible places that could be bombed. We went to Shiv Sena Bhavan and the BMC building. We even checked out the entry and exit points at the BMC building.
“Later in the night, Tiger told us about the atrocities committed on Muslims during the riots and the demolition of the Babri Masjid, and told us to avenge the insults. “After a few days, I again went to Tiger’s house where we made RDX bombs in his garage. Later in the night, Tiger gave us Rs5, 000 each. I was arrested by the police on March 29.”
