As news about the detentions reached New Delhi, efforts were made to check the veracity of the reports and to explore the possible deportation or extradition if the detenues were wanted in India in any cases related to bomb blasts, extortion or other organised crimes, informed sources said.

The infighting, involving Dawood's trusted lieutenant Chota Shakeel and his brother Anees, is believed to have turned dirty as both were fighting for the number two slot in the gang.

Anees, after his brief detention in the UAE in 2005, has allegedly been holed up in Pakistan following the intensification of a CBI campaign to nab him.

Shakeel on behalf of Dawood is monitoring all activities of the crime syndicate in India, including murder and extortion. Those reportedly detained in the UAE are members of Chhota Shakeel's faction while none of the members of Anees' faction have been picked up.

Besides Shakeel's brother, his brother-in-law Arif Bhaijan and Qayoom are also understood to have been detained.

The Dawood gang has kept its activities in the Gulf to the minimum after the don left the region in the wake of the strengthening of India's ties with the UAE, including the signing of an extradition treaty. In the last three years, a few members of Dawood's gang have been deported to India. Among them are Dawood's brother Iqbal Kaskar, his aide Anil Parab and former key associate Ejaz Pathan.