Buckling under pressure from alliance partner BJP, the PDP-led government in Jammu and Kashmir on Friday arrested separatist leader Masarat Alam Bhat in connection with the raising of Pakistani flags during a rally here on Wednesday.

"Bhat has been arrested in the case registered in police station Budgam in connection with the provocative actions during the rally on Wednesday," a senior police officer said.

The 45-year-old hardline separatist leader, who was placed under house arrest late last night, was arrested from his home in Habbakadal area of the city early this morning and taken to police station Shaheed Gunj, the officer said.

As he was being led away by police, Bhat said his arrest was nothing new as "Jammu and Kashmir is being ruled on the might of power."

Before his arrest, speaking to ANI, Alam said, “Let them (government) do whatever they want to. We will carry on with what we are doing. My message to them is that they should follow the Hurriyat program,” he added.

The Bharatiya Janata Party said it was no surprise that separatist leader Masarat Alam had been arrested, as the party was clear over not permitting any anti-India activity.

“It’s no surprise, the BJP's stand was clear that no anti-India activity will be permitted. And this is not a place where the Pakistani flags or pro-Pakistan slogans are going to be accepted,” said BJP spokesperson Nalin Kohli.

“So it was imminent and if the arrest has happened, it is as per the process that should take place,” he added.

Coming under attack from all quarters including PDP ally BJP over Wednesday's rally by separatists in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammed Sayeed denied permission for today's congregation even as he said waving of Pakistani flags and raising pro-Pak slogans were "not acceptable" and "will not be tolerated".

Sayeed directed the police to refuse permission for a rally which was scheduled to be taken from Srinagar to Tral where a youth was killed allegedly by army while in their custody.

Geelani, against whom police has registered a case, issued a statement late in the evening saying that he would not be cowed down by the state government.

Sayeed was called hours after the rally in Srinagar on Wednesday by Home Minister Rajnath Singh asking him to take "immediate and stringent" action against the law breakers.

The Home Minister again asserted, "We will not tolerate anyone raising slogans like 'Pakistan zindabad' on Indian soil.

Pushed on the backfoot, Sayeed tried to defend his decision of giving permission to the rally but made it clear that hoisting of Pakistan flags and raising pro-Pakistan slogans "is not acceptable and will not be tolerated." "I think authorities have taken note of that. They have taken a video of what has happened. I think law will take its own course, action will be taken.

The state Government, in which BJP is an alliance partner, came in for flak over its decision to allow Geelani to hold the rally in Srinagar city which comes after a gap of five years.

During the rally, separatist Alam, released from jail last month, praised founder of Lashker-e-Taiba terror outfit Hafeez Sayeed and asked people to join hands with his outfit.

The Jammu and Kashmir Police has registered an FIR against Geelani, Alam and another separatist leader from Hurriyat Conference under various sections of Ranbir Penal Code and Unlawful (Activities) Prevention Act.

(With agency inputs)