Malik's arrest was made following a recent order by Deputy Commissioner Ramban Shabbir Ahmed Bhatt to ban the entry of all separatist leaders into the district, the police said.

Malik, who was scheduled to address a public meeting after the Friday prayers in Banihal was taken into custody just after he crossed the Jawhar tunnel around 12:30 pm.

The separatist leader along with all the seven activists were whisked to Ramsoo police station from where they were later sent back to the Valley, they added.

Malik has so far made two unsuccessful attempts to enter Ramban district in the past two months.