In a move that could trigger fresh unrest in the Kashmir Valley, the state police arrested Asiya Andrabi, leader of the separatist Dukhtaran-e-Millat, and her second-in-command, Fahmeeda, on Saturday.
Andrabi and her pro-Pakistan all-woman outfit are believed to have emerged as a powerful political force during the current unrest, although she claimed the Dukhtaran was "a social reform group propagating Islamic morals and laws".
Andrabi had been evading arrest for quite some time although several crack teams were formed to nab her.
"Asiya has been in hiding for more than two months now," Kashmir police chief Farooq Ahmad said.
Although she was arrested under the Jammu and Kashmir Public Safety Act, 1978, the police have not yet come out with specific charges against her.
Andrabi had been rigorously implementing the separatists' shutdown calendars during the last two and a half months.