It is suspected to be involved in the serial bomb blasts in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Bangalore and Mumbai. The IM has so far carried out nearly a dozen bomb blasts, killing 500 people.
The Indian Mujahideen (IM), the shadowy outfit involved in several bomb blasts in the country over a decade, was officially branded a terror outfit on Friday.
Suspected to be linked to the banned Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) and Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba, the IM was on the home ministry’s radar for a long time.
The announcement will prove to be a shot in the arm for investigators who can now apply the more stringent Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) to people linked to the IM.
It is the 35th such outfit in the country to be declared a terrorist organisation under the UAPA.
The outfit came into the limelight after the Varanasi bomb blasts on February 23, 2005, which claimed eight lives.
It is suspected to be involved in the serial bomb blasts in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Bangalore and Mumbai. The IM has so far carried out nearly a dozen bomb blasts, killing 500 people.
The dealiest of these was the one in Delhi in 2008. It claimed 30 lives.
According to central intelligence agencies, the IM was functioning under the directions of the ISI.
Believed to be founded by terrorist Amir Reza Khan, it is currently headed by the Bhatkal brothers, Riyaz and Iqbal, both natives of Karnataka.
The home ministry’s move will empower district magistrates to seize land or houses belonging to the members of the outfit and their associates.
Moreover, bank accounts of the alleged members can be frozen to prevent any terror funding. The police will be able to charge them with stringent sections dealing with all aspects of terrorism — conspiracy, funding and providing logistical support to subversive activities.
“Banning the IM will definitely be an effective tool in prosecuting the members under stricter laws. The outfit had been triggering blasts across the country,” said Devendra Bharti, additional commissioner of police, Mumbai crime branch.
Under the UAPA, anyone having association with the banned terror group shall be liable to imprisonment ranging from two years to seven years.
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