LAHORE, Jan 18: Law enforcement agencies have reportedly intensified their drive to check underground activities of outlawed militant organizations, it is learnt.

Official sources say all the law enforcement and intelligence agencies have been directed to 'quiz' those who have been associated with the banned groups. Over 70 arrests were made during the last two weeks but a majority of the 'suspects' were released after questioning. Those in detention are still being grilled.

This operation is in addition to search for some Taliban fugitives whom the law enforcers believe are involved in assassination attempt on President Musharraf.

"Anybody using the banned organization platform should be apprehended and quizzed," the sources quoted an official order issued by Punjab IGP Syed Masud Shah to senior policemen in the province.

"Register cases against those found to have been involved in violating the ban and those agreeing to be harmless be freed but after getting sureties in writing," the order says.

Fifteen members of the banned Sipah-i-Sahaba Pakistan (SSP) are being questioned by the Lahore police investigation wing. A case against them has been registered on charges of using the name of their banned outfit, says police operations SP Dr Usman Anwar. Four assault rifles and other weapons were seized from them in two raids in Ghaziabad in the last two days, he added.

The SP says the arrested men have nothing to do with the investigation into the assassination attempt on President Musharraf. "They are small time activists and were trying to launch underground activities of the banned group."

A former member of Jaish-i-Muhammad, Rai Nazir Ahmad, together with other three men picked up by plainclothesmen on Friday was released on Sunday. His brother Rai Bashir Ahmad advocate told reporters that Nazir was questioned about the ongoing activities of the group but he had nothing to tell. "My brother who did work for some militant groups in the past had dissociated himself and was now earning livelihood for his family by running a tuition academy."

Activities of the seminaries and all other places being used one way or the other by the militant organizations have been put under strict vigil, says a senior officer, involved in operation's supervision. He would not like to be identified. He alleged that the outlawed groups had been trying to continue their activities underground, for which they had come up with a new network.

Lists of all these places and the members wanted by the law enforcers have been handed over to all the agencies, he said and believed this 'strict watch' would discourage the groups. "We actually want to maintain a permanent pressure on them."

Meanwhile, at least four of the 10 members of a religious group arrested last week are still being questioned by the law enforcers. The officer says no case has so far been registered against them and "they are being held just to help police lead to some wanted suspects."

CHIEF MINISTER: Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi, meanwhile, directed the Punjab IGP to launch a crackdown on criminal elements and their patrons in the province besides preparing the lists of all the proclaimed offenders (POs).