On Sunday, U. S. officials declined comment on reports that several arrests have been made in raids in three states on a Christian militia group based in Michigan.

At least seven people were arrested in Michigan, Indiana and Ohio, in raids carried out by a Joint Terrorism Task Force led by the FBI, The Detroit News, citing a person it said was familiar with the matter, said. The raids were conducted as part of an investigation into a militia organization known as Hutaree, based in Adrian, Mich.

The suspects were expected to appear Monday in U. S. District Court in Detroit but Detroit FBI Special Agent Sandra Berchtold told newspaper federal warrants in the case are under court seal and would not comment further, the newspaper further said.

The Detroit News also reported that FBI agents were carrying out operations in Washtenaw and Lenawee counties during the weekend and said the bureau had conducted raids Saturday and Sunday near Adrian, in southeast Michigan.

On its Web site, the group defines Hutaree as "Christian soldier" and says it is preparing to do battle with the anti-Christ, described in the Bible as an adversary of Christ who resembles him so as to deceive people.

Helicopters were seen and agents set up checkpoints in the area on Saturday, WXYZ-TV, Detroit, reported.

His organization and the Southeast Michigan Volunteer Militia were not involved in the raids, The Detroit News said. Lackomar called the Hutaree a "religious cult," Mike Lackomar, of Michiganmilitia. com, said.

He further added, "They are not part of our militia community." (With Inputs from Agencies)