Abu Salem - Timeline

Name : Abu Salem Abdul Qayoom Ansari

Aliases : Aqil Ahmed Azmi, Captain and Abu Samaan, among others

Born : 1969 (according to the CBI, although the Mumbai police says 1962), in Mir Sarai, District Azamgarh, Uttar Pradesh, the second son in a lower middle-class family. Though some reports maintain that he was the eldest of four brothers. His father, an advocate, was killed in a road accident. Studied in a primary school. Fair complexion, height 5'4, medium built, speaks Urdu, Hindi, Marathi. Reportedly has 12 passports.

Started off as a motor mechanic in Azamgarh after his father died before moving to Delhi where he reportedly worked as a taxi driver.

1985 : Came to Mumbai to earn a livelihood.

1986: Worked as a bread delivery boy between Bandra and Andheri; later worked at a garment shop in Andheri (W).

1987 : Became a real estate broker, operated from Arasa Market in Andheri (W).

1988: Assaulted a colleague over a monetary issue and the first case against him was registered at Andheri police station.

In the meantime, married Samira Jumani, a girl from Jogeshwari, now in the US. Has two sons from her. Salem's passion for movies reportedly extends to naming his sons after his favourite stars.

1989 : Handled a few land deals for Dawood gang, came in contact with Anees Ibrahim, Dawood's younger brother, over telephone. Anees offered him a job and he worked as a driver and transported arms. His proficiency at delivering goods at the right time and place earned him the nickname Abu Samaan

1990 : Recruited to oversee Dawood Ibrahim gang's (D-Company) Mumbai operations.

1992 : Allegedly supplied weapons to film actor Sanjay Dutt.

March 1993: Played an active role in serial bomb blasts which killed over 250 people, left 700 injured and damaged property worth Rs 27 crore.

1993: Conspired to kill builder Omprakash Kukreja. Left the country when the police started rounding up suspects in serial blasts case.

1994-97 : Dawood's overseas pointsman for extorting money from film personalities and builders. Was closest to Dawood after Chhota Shakeel.

Moved to Dubai where he had a business establishment called Kings of Car Trading. Organised stage shows where he invited actors.

1997: Masterminded the killing of music baron Gulshan Kumar. In mid-1997, reportedly went to Pakistan to make arrangements for the marriage of Dawood's brother Humayun.

1998 : Parted ways with Dawood after being sidelined

2000 : Planned kidnapping of Milton Plastics owner for ransom of Rs 3 crore.

January 2001 : His men shot Ajit Diwani, personal secretary to film actress Manisha Koirala.

October 2001: Four members of Salem gang shot down in Bandra before they could target film personalities Aamir Khan, Ashutosh Gowarikar and Jhamu Sughand.

July 2002 : Two shooters of Salem gang opened fire on film director Lawrence D'souza who survived.