Jamaat-e-Islami chief among dozens detained in J&K

Srinagar: In a tough move authorities have detained dozens of Jamaat-e-Islami cadres in the Kashmir Valley, including its top leadership during a mass crackdown, police sources said.

The nocturnal raids were conducted in south, central and north Kashmir districts to mop up the senior-most members of the political group.

A spokesman of the Jamaat said those detained include the chief, (Ameer-e-Jamaat) Abdul Hamid Fayaz.

The authorities have given no explanation as to why the raids were necessitated on the oldest religio-political organisation which has over 5,000 cadres.

Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) chairman Yasin Malik was also detained by the police in Srinagar on Friday. He has been lodged in a police station.