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Indore raids net top SIMI leadership

Praveen Swami

Arrests could unravel terror networks

Safdar Nagori, SIMI’s top jihadist ideologue, among those arrested
The arrests could strengthen political Islamists within SIMI

NEW DELHI: Police in Indore have arrested 10 leaders of the Students Islamic Movement of India in a dramatic intelligence-led operation that could help unravel jihadist networks responsible for several major terrorist bombings.

Key among those arrested are SIMI’s general-secretary Safdar Nagori, the organisation’s top jihadist ideologue and organiser, and Shibly Peedical Abdul, a Kerala-born computer engineer sought by police ever since the Lashkar-e-Taiba-led 2006 serial bombing of Mumbai.

Computers seized

Officials say side arms, cartridges and special jungle ropes used in combat-hardening courses for SIMI cadre were found in the safehouse. Police also recovered two computers and external hard drives, which they believe may contain data on the SIMI’s structure, finances and strategy.

Top leaders

Wanted by police in six States, Nagori had evaded arrest ever since SIMI was proscribed in 2001. Although he is not thought to have personally carried out terrorist operations, investigators believe Nagori provided logistical support and finance sourced from West Asia-based supporters and Pakistan’s Inter Services Intelligence Directorate to SIMI networks.

Parallel life

One of those networks was run by Abdul, who worked as a computer engineer at a multinational company before setting up an independent firm. Ehtesham Siddiqui, SIMI’s Maharashtra general secretary and one of the alleged architects of the 2006 bombings, first told police that Abdul had a parallel life as one of the proscribed Islamist group’s top operatives.

Revitalising jihad

Operating through a religious front-organisation, Abdul recruited over a dozen local men to SARANI; men who set up the jihad cell discovered by police in Bangalore last month. He is believed to have participated in a conclave of SIMI members at Ujjain from July 4 to 7, 2006, where plans to revitalise the jihad in India were discussed.

Ujjain discussions

Several members of the terror cell which executed the 2006 Mumbai bombings, that claimed 209 lives and left 704 injured, participated in the Ujjain discussions; among them computer technician and SARANI member Muzammil Sheikh, who is now being tried for his role in the serial bombings along with his brother, Faisal Sheikh.

Weapons supplier

Unconfirmed reports suggest another of the men arrested in Indore could be Mohammed Adnan, a key south India SIMI organiser. A resident of Bijapur in Karnataka, Adnan is alleged to have provided weapons and training to Abdul’s Bangalore jihad cell. However, sources in the Indore police said confirmation of the suspect’s identity was still awaited.

Back to its roots

Wednesday’s arrests could strengthen political Islamists within SIMI who have been struggling to return the organisation to its political roots. SIMI leaders grouped around its former president, Shahid Badr Falahi, had long argued the organisation’s turn to terror would be disastrous, and made persistent efforts to marginalise its jihadists amidst its ranks.

Secret meeting

In January, 2006, SIMI members met in secret to discuss means to have the ban on the organisation revoked, and elected West Bengal’s Mohammad Misbah-ul-Islam their new president. Again, in January, 2007, a senior New Delhi-based Jamaat-e-Islami leader hosted a meeting of the political Islamists to discuss strategies to distance SIMI from the jihadists.

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