Srinagar: Police on Friday arrested pro-freedom leader Mohammad Yasin Malik, two days ahead of second death anniversary of Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) militant commander Burhan Wani who was killed in an encounter with government forces in Anantnag district.

However, officials said Malik was taken into preventive custody.

A spokesman for the front said that a police party arrested Malik from his Maisuma house near here immediately after morning prayers. He said Malik has been lodged in police station Maisuma.

The Joint Resistance Leadership (JRL), comprising Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Mirwaiz Moulvi Omar Farooq and Malik, has called for a general strike on July 8 on the second death anniversary of Burhan.

Hizb commander Burhan Wani was killed at village Bumdoora, Kokernag, in Anantnag which evoked massive protests for about six months during which about 120 people, mostly youths, were killed in government forces action in the valley. (UNI)