Pastor C M Khanna was arrested from his residence in the church premises in Ram Munshi Bagh area here late last night after he was named in a case relating to alleged conversion, they said.

Charges under Sections 153-A and 295-A of the RPC were registered against him in the local police station last evening, they said.

The police action comes in the wake of protests at many places in the Kashmir Valley on Friday over the issue. The agitators also staged a protest against hosting of anti-Islamic remarks on a social networking site.

A video had surfaced here last month in which Khanna was allegedly shown baptising at least six Muslim and one Hindu youth.

Earlier, Khanna had appeared before a group of Islamic scholars Friday to clarify his position after failing to appear before the Sharia court.

A spokesman of the Islamic court said initially Khanna denied of converting any youth, but admitted to it after he was shown evidences.

"He said he has converted 15 youth so far and agreed to provide the details soon," the spokesman said