Police, however, did not specify where exactly in south Kashmir the militant was caught.

A resident of Arwani village in south Kashmir's Anantnag, Misbahuddin was arrested from Srinagar Dec 6, 2007. The dreaded militant commander is known for his proximity to Hizb chief and chairman of the United Jehad Council Syed Sallahuddin. He had taken over the operations command of Hizbul Mujahideen in 2003.

His disappearance had left the security forces in the state red-faced and an enquiry had been reportedly ordered into the incident.