Dhaka - Bangladesh's security forces on Sunday captured eight members of a banned Islamist outfit, three of whom are believed to be members of its suicide squad, from Dhaka's Khilkhet areas, officials said. The members of the elite anti-crime Rapid Action Battalion also seized a large quantity of bomb-making materials, leaflets, books on jihad, religious CDs, audio cassettes from their possessions.
The capture and seizures came barely two days ahead of the celebration of Bangli New Year on Tuesday.
Dhaka - Bangladesh's Foreign Minister Dipu Moni on Saturday described her country as secular with a majority Muslim population, and not a moderate Muslim state as portrayed by the international community. "Bangladesh is a non-communal country where the majority of the people belongs to the Muslim faith. We achieved our independence through an armed struggle with a dream of establishing a secular nation," the minister told reporters after delivering a lecture in Dhaka on Bangladesh's foreign policy.
Dhaka - A group of Islamists demanded Saturday that the secular law minister of Bangladesh's three-month old coalition government should resign after his reported comments that Quami Madrashas (Islamic schools) were breeding militants. "We want the minister to resign immediately, otherwise we will continue with regular protests until our demands are met," Fazlul Haq Amini, head of Islamic Law Committee formed by an alliance of radical Islamists, told a press conference.
Dhaka - Russia on Wednesday offered to help Bangladesh set up hydroelectric units using river currents to ease the country's severe power crisis, an official said.
Dhaka - Bangladesh's Awami League-led government Wednesday cancelled the lease of a residence in Dhaka awarded to former premier Khaleda Zia 27 years ago as widow of slain president Ziaur Rahman, officials said.
Dhaka - Bangladesh may request the International Criminal Court to put on trial Pakistani forces for alleged war crimes, a top official said Tuesday.
