London: Terrorist group Indian Mujahideen (IM) has been banned by the British Government from operating in the country.
Minister for Crime and Security James Brokenshire told the Commons that IM ''has frequently perpetrated attacks against civilian targets... with the intention of maximising casualties''.
"We believe that there is ample evidence that IM is concerned in terrorism and I believe it is right that we add the organisation to the list of proscribed organisations," the BBC quoted Brokenshire, as saying.
Legislators voted unanimously to ban the group in Britain, meaning it would be an offense under the Terrorism Act 2000 to be a member of the organisation.
The group is believed to have been involved in the Mumbai attacks in 2008, in which at least 165 people died.
"IM wanted India to become an Islamic state, governed under Sharia law, and that the group had threatened British tourists in India," Brokenshire said.
According to the report, the group was banned in India in June 2010.
The move was welcomed by shadow Home Office Minister Diana Johnson, who said the IM was behind ''some of the most appalling acts of terrorism in recent years''.
ANI
First Published: Thursday, July 05, 2012, 12:28