In a major success, Jammu and Kashmir police on Thursday said they had arrested a top militant commander and chief spokesman of the Hizbul Mujahideen from north Kashmir.

A senior police officer, while confirming the arrest said, "It is a big setback to the outfit". He said Junaidul Islam, the spokesman of the outfit, was arrested from Baramulla district by the police and is presently being questioned.

The Hizbul Mujahideen has suffered major setback in past few days with some of its top cadres eliminated by the security forces, including divisional commander of south Kashmir, Aslam Khan, and district commander, Javed Ahmad Lone, besides the arrest of its three top cadres in Handwara area on Wednesday.