Faizal Ataur Rehman Sheikh, the man police claim is Lashkar-e-Toiba’s Mumbai chief, spent a lot of time at dance bars, say sources.

In custody after being arrested by the Anti-Terrorist Squad in connection with July 11’s serial blasts, Faizal is believed to have boasted to his interrogators that over the past two years he has blown up over Rs 7 lakh at dance bars and beer bars in Mumbai’s suburbs.

Investigators are now questioning staffers at the bars—especially one at Kurla which he frequented—to find out who accompanied Faizal and who he met there.

‘‘Also, he was often seen with a bar girl from Chembur, whom we had detained for questioning. She did not know anything about Faizal’s activities,’’ said an investigating officer. ‘‘She told us that Faizal had promised to marry her. Faizal’s neighbours often saw the girl visiting his Carter Road residence.’’

Sources said Faizal told his interrogators that the money he spent at the bars was part of what was sent to him by Lashkar commander Azam Cheema through the hawala network via Saudi Arabia every now and then.

Faizal was arrested along with his software programmer brother Muzamil, Unani doctor Tanvir Ansari, Sohail Sheikh and Zamir Chabiwaala—all alleged members of LeT’s Mumbai module.

Unani doctor wanted to do ‘something big’ in the US

Mumbai: Interrogators of Unani practitioner Dr Tanvir Ahmed Ansari claim he’s told them that he wanted to do ‘‘something big’’ in the United States, and that he didn’t want to return to India from terrorist training in Pakistan.

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