The National Investigation Agency has arrested an operative of banned Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) Abdul Sathar alias Manzoor, in connection with a 2010 case relating to unlawful training to SIMI cadres in arms and bomb making at a camp in Vagamon in Kerala.
Sathar was arrested by the agency from the national Capital on Friday. He is also under the scanner of NIA and other security agencies for planning and executing a series of attacks in South India. He is also suspected to be the main architect of the Bangalore blasts and Chinnaswamy stadium blasts of 2010.
Sathar was declared a proclaimed offender by an NIA court and an Interpol Red Corner Notice was also pending against him. During the probe of the case, NIA had arrested 35 out 38 accused from different parts of the country.
These SIMI operatives are accused of conducting a three-day training camp at Vagamon in Kottayam district of Kerala and underwent a course in physical training, arms training including firing practice, rope climbing, motorbike racing and manufacture of petrol bomb among others. They also made speeches about jihad in India and incited the participants to wage war against Indian Government.
A chargesheet was also filed against 30 accused persons on December 31, 2010 under various sections of the Indian Penal Code including criminal conspiracy and provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.