Radical Hindu leader held for anti-Christian attacks

NEW DELHI (AFP) - A radical Hindu leader has been arrested in southern India over a spate of attacks targeting Christian churches, officials said Saturday.

Police in the southern state of Karnataka said Mahendra Kumar, head of the Bajrang Dal radical Hindu group, was arrested overnight in connection with the attacks which began last weekend.

Senior police officer AM Prasad, confirming the late Friday arrest, said Kumar would be charged with criminal offences.

The arrest came a day after New Delhi told the Hindu nationalist government in Karnataka to “bring the situation under control.”