Reports from Pakistan say a prominent Kashmiri militant has been taken into custody shortly after setting up a new group to fight Indian rule in the disputed territory.

Sources inside the group say Pakistani police detained their leader, Maulana Masood Azhar, two days ago.

Mr Azhar came to prominence in December, when the hijackers of an Indian Airlines plane made his release from an Indian jail their main demand.

A BBC correspondent in Islamabad says provocative statements by Mr Azhnar since his release have drawn international criticism, while his move to form his own faction has annoyed parts of the Kashmiri militant movement. Our correspondent says by detaining him, the Pakistani authorities appear to be trying to avoid any new controversy

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service