New Delhi, Saturday, March 27--The Pakistan Radio announced today that Sheik Mujibur Rahman, the nationalist leader of East Pakistan, had been arrested only hours after he had proclaimed his region independent and after open rebellion was reported in several cities in the East.

In a broadcast monitored here, the radio, quoting what it described as an official statement made in Dacca, said that Sheik Mujib was arrested early this morning at his home in Dacca.

The 51 year old leader of the Awami League, the dominant party in the East, was arrested as the West Pakistan-dominated army sought to reassert control in the East.

Reports reaching neighboring India indicated the army was gaining the upper hand in the battle that erupted yesterday between the army and East Pakistani citizens and militiamen

Curfew Reported Lifted

The Pakistan radio reported that a 24 hour curfew imposed in Dacca yesterday was lifted for a nine-hour period this morning, indicating that the army was in control of the city.

United News of India said in a dispatch from the Indian border town of Agartala that the army had occupied the headquarters of the East Pakistani Rifles, the provincial militia, in Comilla district, after a prolonged fight. The army was also reported to have occupied police stations in East Pakistan's Comilla and Noakhali districts. The agency said there were heavy casualties on both sides.