The report stated that the news of Shakeel's death is said to have pushed Dawood into depression and that he was contemplating an India return. The report, however, cited that neither the National Security Council Secretariat in New Delhi nor Mumbai Police could confirm or deny the development. Quoting sources, the report said that Shakeel, who was based out of Karachi, may have died on January 6 in Islamabad. The report says that there are two versions of Shakeel's death- one that he suffered a massive heart attack and that his bodyguards rushed him to Combined Medical Hospital in Rawalpindi by air. He was however declared brought dead.

According to another theory reported by the newspaper, Pakistan's ISI killed him as it was increasingly becoming difficult to deal with him. While Shakeel's body was kept in a morgue for two days, it was flown to Karachi in a C-130 aircraft and buried in an unmarked grave in Defence Housing Colony. His family has been moved to a safe house of the ISI in Lahore- the report suggested.

The report further cited that the news of Shakeel's death was reported to Dawood Ibrahim two days later. The news of his death was however kept secret as the ISI wanted to use his virtual presence. the news of Shakeel's death pushed Dawood Ibrahim into depression and he was admitted to hospital. The report said that he is contemplating a return to India.