Yasin Malik, JKLF chief, detained by police from his residence in Srinagar

The detention came two days after the state administration said the security of 18 separatist leaders, including Malik, would be withdrawn.

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Aniruddha Dhar
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Yasin Malik, JKLF chief, detained by police from his residence in Srinagar

Yasin Malik, JKLF chief, detained by police from his residence

Separatist leader Yasin Malik was detained by the Jammu and Kashmir police from his residence in Srinagar on Friday night. He was shifted to the Kothibagh police station. The detention came two days after the state administration said the security of 18 separatist leaders, including Malik, would be withdrawn. The JKLF leader on Thursday termed the announcement a "lie".

While Malik said he had never received any protection from the state, hardline Hurriyat Conference termed the reports about the withdrawal of security of its chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani "ridiculous".

"I have had no security with me for the last 30 years. So, when there was no security, what withdrawal are they talking about? This is utter dishonesty on part of the government" Malik told reporters.

The JKLF chairman said he never had any security at his residence, office or even at his public rallies and he had turned down offers for it several times. He termed the notification a "lie".

Home Minister Rajnath Singh, during his visit to Srinagar on Friday, had said security given to people getting funds from Pakistan and its snooping agency ISI should be reviewed.

"Some elements in Jammu and Kashmir have links with the ISI and terrorist organisations. Their security should be reviewed," he had said after reviewing security in the aftermath of dastardly terror attack in South Kashmir's Pulwama district.

Forty CRPF personnel were killed and five injured on Thursday in one of the deadliest terror strikes in Jammu and Kashmir when a Jaish-e-Mohammad suicide bomber blew up an explosive-laden vehicle near their bus in Pulwama district.

The bus was part of a convoy of 78 vehicles carrying CRPF personnel from Jammu to Srinagar.

Police arrested Yasin Malik detained separatist leader