The Delhi police have arrested a militant of Hizb-e-Islami outfit and recovered 3.5 kilogrammes of explosives from him.

Ayaz Mohammad Shah of Anantnag in Jammu and Kashmir was nabbed near Shastri Park metro station in northeast Delhi on Thursday night, police sources told PTI.

Shah, who was also in possession of Rs 300,000, was in the national capital to carry out a major blast to disturb the Republic Day celebrations, the police said.

He was in direct contact with Hizb-e-Islami chief Sarfaraz who had asked him to reach Delhi to strike at a VVIP target or some public place, sources said.

The accused is being interrogated about his exact plans, they said, adding efforts were also on to establish whether he had some more associates in the national capital.