Two brothers who have been linked to a Muslim militant group have been arrested by Indian police in connection with the Bombay train bombings which killed 183 people earlier this month.

Faizal Sheikh and Muzammil Sheikh were arrested yesterday by anti-terrorist investigators after being questioned on suspicion of being members of the Lashkar-e-Taiba group.

According to The Times of India, Faizal Sheikh is suspected of being the western India commander for Lashkar-e-Taiba, a banned militant group which is fighting against Indian control of part of disputed Kashmir.

He and his brother, a software programmer, will appear in court later today accused of conspiracy in connection with the blasts. Lashkar-e-Taiba has denied any role in the attacks.

Police have raided slums and Muslim quarters across India, questioning hundreds of people.

Eight suspects are now being held in custody in connection with the co-ordinated blasts on July 11, which also left more than 800 people wounded. Some of those under arrest had visited Pakistan to receive arms training, according to investigators. One is a doctor, another a chemical engineer.

Jayjit Singh, a senior policeman, said that he could not yet confirm that the Sheikh brothers had any links to the Lashkar organisation.

"We’re interrogating them. We don’t know about that. We have just arrested them late in the night -- give us some time," he said.

Lashkar-e-Taiba has been identified by police as one of the most likely groups behind the bombing, although police have said the bombing team have probably already left the country.

They suspect that Indian Muslims were used by the group to plant the bombs on the trains.

Manmohan Singh, the Prime Minister of India has said that "elements" across the border had a role in the blasts.

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