Five more policemen, including two officers, were taken into custody on Saturday for their alleged nexus with militants involved in the killing of a former minister and attacks on security forces in Jammu and Kashmir.

The total number of arrested policemen has gone up to seven.

Sub-inspectors Sulaiman and Abdul Ahad Rather, constables Shah Hussain, Farooq Ahmad Indrabi and Sonaullah Dar were arrested for questioning from Kupwara, Anantnag and Baramulla districts since Friday, Senior Superintendent of Police S D S Jamwal said.

He said the arrests were made following the questioning of two policemen -- Assistant Sub-Inspector Ghulam Rasool Wani and Constable Abdul Ahad -- who were held on June six for their alleged involvement in a plan of militants to carry out a suicide attack on security forces at Lalpora police station in Kupwara district early this month.

Jamwal said all the policemen were picked up from their places of posting. While Sulaiman was taken into custody from Sheeri in Baramulla, Rather was arrested at Zechaldara-Handwara in Kupwara where he was incharge of the police post.

Hussain, Dar and Indrabi were arrested from Kulgam in Anantnag and Kantpora-Lolab and Lalpora in Kupwara, the officer said.

He said they are being questioned about their involvement in the killing of former Home Minister Mushtaq Ahmad Lone last year and some suicide attacks on security forces.