Saturday, July 15 2006 12:16 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Mumbai: "At least 250 persons from Naya Nagar locality of Mahim in central Mumbai, which is allegedly infiltrated by illegal Bangladeshi immigrants, were detained after raids, as part of the ongoing probe in the serial train blasts," sources said here.

"The raids were conducted early today by officials of the central region of Mumbai police and over 400 policemen from various police stations participated in it," police said.

"Nearly a dozen history-sheeters and wanted criminals also landed in the net during the raid," police said.

The combing operation was launched at 4 am, since there were reports that the area is frequented by illegal Bangladeshi immigrants.

More detentions are likely to take place since the raid is still on, police further said.

The suspects will be individually interrogated later, while nearly a dozen history-sheeters and wanted criminals who have been arrested will be produced in the Court for offences for which they were wanted, sources said.

A senior official of Central Police Region told sources that the raid was conducted following instructions by top Mumbai Police officials that local police units should also pursue the blasts investigations independently and assist the Anti Terrorism Squad (ATS) and Mumbai Crime Branch.

Various police units have already detained over 200 suspected SIMI members since past two days, while local police stations are also likely to intensify combing operations in the coming days, sources said.