Jamaat-e-Islami chief among dozens detained in J&K (Lead)

Srinagar, Feb 23 (IANS) In a tough move authorities have detained dozens of Jamaat-e-Islami cadres in the Kashmir Valley, including its top leadership during a mass crackdown, police sources said.The nocturnal raids were conducted in south, central and north Kashmir districts to mop up the senior-most members of the political group.A spokesman of the Jamaat said those detained include the chief, (Ameer-e-Jamaat) Abdul Hamid Fayaz.The authorities have given no explanation as to why the raids were necessitated on the oldest religio-political organisation which has over 5,000 cadres.Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) chairman Yasin Malik was also detained by the police in Srinagar on Friday. He has been lodged in a police station.
--IANS sq/in