AMARA, Iraq, June 20 (Xinhua) -- Iraqi security forces have arrested the deputy governor of Maysan province during a massive offensive against Shiite militia there, a source from Sadr's office in Maysan said on Friday.

    "Rafa Abdul Jabbar, deputy governor of Maysan province and also mayor of its capital Amara, was arrested on Thursday," the source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.

    The detainee, who was accused of aiding the insurgent militia, was also a member of the Sadr movement headed by radical Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr.

    On Thursday, Iraqi security forces backed by U.S. troops launched a massive operation dubbed "Operation Basha'ir al-Salam" (Promise of Peace) to hunt militiamen and illegal weapons in the southeastern province.

    On Sunday, Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki announced a four-day deadline for Shiite militiamen in Maysan province to hand over their weapons to the Iraqi troops.

    "Those who possess heavy and medium weapons, explosives and sniper guns have to hand over them to the Iraqi security forces within four days starting from Sunday in return for money," Maliki said in a statement.

    Late in March, Maliki launched a similar crackdown in the neighboring province of Basra to fight Shiite militiamen loyal to Sadr which resulted in the killing of hundreds of people.