Agents of Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) are actively attempting to recruit Sri Lankan Tamil refugees who have returned to the island nation after the end of the Eelam war, the Tamil Nadu state intelligence has informed the Centre's Intelligence Bureau.

Thamim Ansari, a Thanjavur man who was arrested recently for suspected links to the ISI, was in Sri Lanka when ISI operative Haji made contact with him.

Intelligence sources say the ISI is hiring the refugees because they are familiar with India and can collect information from the country without raising suspicions.

Sleuths of the 'Q' branch of the state police, who have been monitoring Sri Lankan Tamils, said they have registered a case against ISI operative Haji, his associates Shaji and Amir Zubair Siddiqui , who works as the counsellor in the visa section of the Pakistan high commission in Sri Lanka.

"We have named the accused in the first information report based on Ansari's statement," a police officer said.

State intelligence officials have sought police custody of Ansari for one week to collect more information . A judicial magistrate's court in Trichy has granted police custody of Ansari for one day so investigators can interrogate him.

Inspector-general of police (internal security) Abash Kumar and other senior officials will question Ansari. Police will produce Ansari before the magistrate's court on Saturday seeking that he be remanded in judicial custody. (Times of India)