The Centre has extended by two more years the ban imposed on Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI).

The Group has links with Pakistan-based terrorist outfits including Lashkar-e-Taiba and its front, Indian Mujahideen (IM).

The Home Ministry has issued a notification in this regard after the Cabinet Committee on Security CCS, chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, approved the proposal of extending ban on SIMI.

The ban would come into effect from this month end for a period of two years.

SIMI was declared outlawed in 2001 when it came to light that the outfit was involved in a series of terrorist activities.

Though SIMI had challenged the government's move in various courts and also before the Special Unlawful Activities Prevention Act tribunals on a number of occasions, it did not get any relief.