13 SIMI activists arrested

Indore, Mar 27 (UNI) In a major drive, 13 prominent activists of banned Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI), including its former General Secretary Safdar Nagouri, were arrested early this morning from the industrial town of Pithampur near here, police said.

Its master strategist Qamaruddin and office-bearers from Maharashtra and Karnataka were among those arrested. Among others, they would be interrogated by senior officials of intelligence agencies, a top police official said.

The official said Shivli, who is organisational incharge for south India and Hafiz Hussain, its Karnataka incharge, were also arrested by the special task force.

Seven pistols, other weapons, computer and objectionable documents were recovered from their possession, police added.

SIMI was suspected to be involved in terrorist activities and its role was suspected in explosions in Mumbai's local trains and the shrine of Sufi saint Khwaja Moinuddin Hasan Chisti at Ajmer.

Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Home Minister Himmat Kothari have commented the police achievement, official sources said.

UNI XC-SP 1440