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The banned Islamist terror group [[Students Islamic Movement of India]] (SIMI) is known to have operated several terrorist training camps across India to train its members to carry out bombings and other subversive acts.

== Kerala ==
{{Location map many| Kerala
| width = 260
| caption = Location of terrorist training camps in Kerala
| float = right
| label = Binanipuram
| bg = #FFFF99
| pos = right
| marksize = 8
| coordinates = {{coord|10.086981|N|76.306557|E}}
| label2 = Vagamon
| bg2 = #FFFF99
| pos2 = bottom
| coordinates2 = {{coord|9.66|N|76.90|E}}
| label3 = malappuram
| bg3 = #FFFF99
| pos3 = top
| coordinates3 = {{coord|11.960605|N|75.389299|E}}
}}

SIMI operated several terrorist training camps in the southern Indian state of [[Kerala]]. Due to [[votebank]] politics and pressure from human rights activists, the ruling [[Left Democratic Front (Kerala)|LDF]] government failed to act against such terrorist groups. Emboldened by the passive attitude of the government and its failure to bring charges against the organisers of the Binanipuram camp, SIMI conducted more terror training camps in the state.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/kerala-goes-soft-on-simi-country-pays/articleshow/3374387.cms |title=Kerala goes soft on Simi, country pays - The Economic Times |publisher=Economictimes.indiatimes.com |date= |accessdate=2018-02-03}}</ref> [[Indian Mujahideen]], a SIMI front, enjoys a certain degree of political patronage in the state.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/news/report/what-a-terrorist-wants-bomb-blasts-and-kerala-holiday/20140328.htm |title=What a terrorist wants: Bomb blasts and Kerala holiday! - Rediff.com India News |publisher=Rediff.com |date=2014-03-28 |accessdate=2018-02-03}}</ref>

=== Binanipuram camp ===

A camp was organised in 2006 at Binanipuram near [[Aluva]] in [[Ernakulam district]] of [[Kerala]] state. 40-50 SIMI members were trained in commando and jungle warfare skills.<ref name=t>{{cite web|url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2008/20080825/main5.htm |title=The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Main News |publisher=Tribuneindia.com |date= |accessdate=2018-02-03}}</ref>

On 15 August 2006, Kerala police questioned 18 people and arrested five — Ansar Moulavi, Shaduli, Nizamuddin, Abdul Rafeeq and Shamas — under the [[Unlawful Activities Prevention Act|Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act]]. The five arrested were later released on bail.

Ansar Moulavi and Shaduli are also accused of attending another training camp at Vagamon conducted between December 2007 - January 2008. Both were arrested after the [[Jaipur bombings|13 May 2008 Jaipur bombings]] by the [[Rajasthan police]].<ref>{{cite web|author=John Mary |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/1080817/jsp/nation/story_9702584.jsp |title=The Telegraph - Calcutta (Kolkata) | Nation | Kerala Kerala ‘slip’ under glare|publisher=Telegraphindia.com |date=2008-08-17 |accessdate=2018-02-03}}</ref>

=== Vagamon camp ===

A camp was conducted at Thangalpara, [[Vagamon]] in [[Idukki district]] of Kerala in December 2007-January 2008. Camp attendees are said to be trained in commando, jungle warfare, trekking, rock climbing, [[Abseiling|rappeling]] and [[herbal medicine]]. Speeches inciting the participants to wage ''[[jihad]]'' (war) against India are said to be made.<ref name=da>{{cite web|url=http://www.daijiworld.com/news/newsDisplay.aspx?newsID=182440 |title=Elusive Simi operative deported from Dubai |publisher=Daijiworld.com |date=2013-08-04 |accessdate=2018-02-03}}</ref>

About 20 students from [[Hubli]], [[Belgaum]] and [[Bangalore]] were trained to assemble explosives with easily available materials by a bomb expert [[Abdul Subhan Qureshi]]. [[Ammonium nitrate]], a commonly available nitrogenous fertiliser, was used in the [[2008 Ahmedabad bombings]]. Prototypes of liquid bombs using commonly available [[hydrogen peroxide]] were first experimented at the Vagamon camp.<ref name=t />

Abdul Sathar alias Manzoor, from Aluva in Kerala, is accused of attending the camp and of being involved in the 2008 Ahmedabad bombings and [[2008 Bangalore serial blasts]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bengaluru/Yasins-interrogation-may-throw-light-on-ISI-link-to-2008-serial-blasts/articleshow/22149206.cms |title=Yasin's interrogation may throw light on ISI link to 2008 serial blasts | Bengaluru News - Times of India |publisher=Timesofindia.indiatimes.com |date= |accessdate=2018-02-03}}</ref> He is also accused of recruitment of youths from Kerala and sending them to Pakistan for terror training by the [[Lashkar-e-Taiba]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/SIMI-man-held-for-Kerala-terror-camp/articleshow/21586261.cms |title=SIMI man held for Kerala terror camp | India News - Times of India |publisher=Timesofindia.indiatimes.com |date=2013-08-04 |accessdate=2018-02-03}}</ref> Declared a proclaimed offender, an Interpol red alert notice was issued against him. A fugitive for six years, he was deported from [[Dubai]] on 2 August 2013 and arrested on arrival in India.<ref name=da />

===Malappuram camp===

On 23 April 2013, a terror training camp inside a building owned by Thanal Foundation Trust<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/21-pfi-activists-convicted-organising-terror-camp-kerala-38004 |title=21 PFI activists convicted for organising terror camp in Kerala |publisher=The News Minute |date=2016-01-22 |accessdate=2018-02-03}}</ref> in Mayyil [[Narath]] area of [[Kannur district]] was organised by members of [[Popular Front of India]] (PFI), a SIMI front.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/pfi-is-simi-in-another-form-kerala-govt-tells-hc/979440/ |title=PFI is SIMI in another form, Kerala govt tells HC |publisher=Indian Express |date=2012-07-26 |accessdate=2018-02-03}}</ref> The camp was raided by police and 21 people were arrested. Country bombs, a sword, a human effigy, cellphones and accessories for making bombs were recovered during the police raid.<ref name=daiji>{{cite web|url=http://www.daijiworld.com/news/newsDisplay.aspx?newsID=377329 |title=Narath arms training case - 21 PFI activists awarded imprisonment |publisher=Daijiworld.com |date= |accessdate=2018-02-03}}</ref>

According to the charge sheet filed by the investigators, activists belonging to Popular Front of India and its political wing [[Social Democratic Party of India]] had organised this training camp. The charge sheet said that one of the participants had links with [[Indian Mujahideen]] terrorist group. The investigators provided evidence of transfer of funds between bank accounts to prove its allegations. The bank accounts details of Sanaulla Shabandri were found during the raid on the house of one of the accused. Shabandri from [[Bhatkal]], is believed to be a close associate of [[Yasin Bhatkal]] and an [[Indian Mujahideen]] member.<ref name=daiji />

On 21 January 2016, a court sentenced 21 of those accused to varying years of imprisonments after they were found guilty under several charges including criminal conspiracy, membership of unlawful assembly, possession of arms and explosive substances, inciting communal disharmony, assertions prejudicial to national integration besides organising a terrorist camp.<ref>{{cite web|author=New Delhi, Mar 17, 2016, (PTI) 14:45 IST |url=http://www.deccanherald.com/content/535075/kannur-terror-camp-case-absconding.html |title=Kannur terror camp case: Absconding accused nabbed from Kerala |publisher=Deccanherald.com |date=2016-03-17 |accessdate=2018-02-03}}</ref>

The court found that the enterprise was unlawful and that the accused persons could not explain why they were in possession of weapons and country-bombs.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/NIA-court-sends-21-to-jail-in-Narath-case/article14011919.ece |title=NIA court sends 21 to jail in Narath case |publisher=The Hindu |date= |accessdate=2018-02-03}}</ref>

== Karnataka ==

=== Castle Rock camp ===

In April 2007, SIMI held a terrorist training camp at Castle Rock near [[Hubli]], under the cover of hosting an outdoors event.<ref name=h>{{cite web|author=Today's Paper |url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/Blasts-underline-continuing-threat/article15277514.ece |title=Blasts underline continuing threat - Today's Paper |publisher=The Hindu |date= |accessdate=2018-02-03}}</ref>

== Gujarat ==

=== Pavagadh camp ===

In January 2008, a training camp at an isolated place near the Khundpir (also spelt Khundmeer) ''[[dargah]]''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/1080822/jsp/opinion/story_9723516.jsp |title=The Telegraph - Calcutta (Kolkata) | Opinion | Misplaced energies |publisher=Telegraphindia.com |date=2008-08-22 |accessdate=2018-09-16}}</ref> near [[Pavagadh]] in [[Gujarat]] state was reportedly used to train SIMI activists for the [[2008 Ahmedabad bombings|2008 bomb attacks on the cities of Ahmedabad and Surat]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/vadodara/tauqeer-brought-to-pavagadh-for-investigations/articleshow/63209122.cms |title=Pavagadh: Tauqeer brought to Pavagadh for investigations | Vadodara News - Times of India |publisher=Timesofindia.indiatimes.com |date=2018-03-08 |accessdate=2018-09-16}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/Halol-chosen-for-camps-due-to-proximity-to-MP/articleshow/3382872.cms |title=Halol chosen for camps due to proximity to MP | Ahmedabad News - Times of India |publisher=Timesofindia.indiatimes.com |date=2008-08-20 |accessdate=2018-09-16}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Vadodara-dargah-backyard-was-used-as-training-camp/articleshow/3374750.cms |title=Vadodara dargah backyard was used as training camp | India News - Times of India |publisher=Timesofindia.indiatimes.com |date=2008-08-18 |accessdate=2018-09-16}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Gujarat-had-suspects-list-for-two-months/articleshow/3374752.cms |title=Gujarat had suspects' list for two months | India News - Times of India |publisher=Timesofindia.indiatimes.com |date=2008-08-18 |accessdate=2018-09-16}}</ref>

== References ==
{{reflist}}
{{Portal bar|India|border=no}}
{{SIMI}}

[[Category:Crime in India]]
[[Category:Islamic terrorism in India]]

SIMI terrorist training camps - Revision history

imported>LilHelpa: mnr cpy ed