What Was Shootout At Lokhandwala?

The Lokhandwala Encounter was a dramatic shootout that took place on November 16, 1991, in the Lokhandwala Complex, a residential area in Mumbai. It was a significant operation led by the Mumbai Police’s Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), headed by Additional Commissioner of Police Aftab Ahmed Khan. The encounter resulted in the death of notorious gangster Maya Dolas and six other gang members, who were affiliated with the Dawood Ibrahim gang.

Background

• During the late 80s and early 90s, organized crime was rampant in Mumbai, primarily led by the underworld dons like Dawood Ibrahim and Chhota Rajan.
• Maya Dolas and his gang were involved in extortion, contract killings, and other criminal activities.
• The police received intelligence about Dolas and his gang hiding in the Lokhandwala Complex, which was considered a relatively upscale locality.

The Encounter

• Aftab Ahmed Khan assembled a heavily armed police team and surrounded the building where Dolas and his gang were hiding.
• The encounter lasted for approximately four hours, with an intense exchange of gunfire.
• Despite the resistance from the gang, the police successfully neutralized all seven criminals, including Maya Dolas.
• The police justified the encounter, stating it was necessary as the gang had refused to surrender.

Controversy and Aftermath

• The encounter was widely publicized and became one of the most talked-about incidents in Mumbai’s crime history.
• There were allegations of it being a staged or “fake” encounter, a common concern in cases involving the Mumbai underworld.
• However, Aftab Ahmed Khan maintained that the encounter was lawful and necessary to control organized crime.

Cultural Impact

• The Lokhandwala Encounter inspired several movies and series, most notably the Bollywood film “Shootout at Lokhandwala” (2007), which dramatized the incident.

The encounter marked a significant turning point in Mumbai’s underworld operations, sending a strong message against organized crime.