A top Lashkar-e-Toiba commander was arrested from Srinagar on Monday along with his wife, who too is allegedly an active cadre of the militant outfit. The Lashkar commander, police said, was trying to regroup cadres in Srinagar to carry out attacks. He got married three months ago.

Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kashmir, Farooq Ahmed said that Ashiq Hussain alias Abu Umair, the LeT’s “district commander” for Doda, was caught by the Srinagar police along with his wife from Batamaloo after specific information. Three other alleged associates were also arrested. “We are questioning him,” the IGP said. “So far he has told us that he was ill and had come to Srinagar for treatment few days back. But we are investigating.”

A police officer said Hussain was among the most-wanted militants in Bhaderwah, “responsible for various attacks on the police and Army”. Police sources said Hussain, a resident of Dandi Bhaderwah, was operating under different code names and was active for the past eight years.

The police officer said Ashiq came to Srinagar a month back and had held meetings to regroup cadres. “After holding many meetings in Srinagar, he left to Jammu and stayed there for some time. Four days back he returned to Srinagar and after a tip-off he was apprehended along with his wife Rubina,” he said.