Dhaka - Two Bangladeshi development workers abducted in Afghanistan were released in the east-central province of Ghazni, officials said Sunday.

"The unidentified abductors left them in front of our Gazni office Saturday evening, 10 days after they were picked up," said Zia Hashan, communications manager of the Bangladesh Rural Advancement Committee, a Dhaka-based non-governmental organization.

Akhter Ali and Mohammad Shahjahan Ali, who have been working for the committee in Afghanistan for three years, were kidnapped by unidentified gunmen on October 

Dhaka - Dhaka on Saturday made a formal request to the United Nations for assistance to rescue two Bangladeshi development workers abducted in war-torn Afghanistan last month.

"We have sought assistance from the United Nations to rescue abducted Bangladeshi workers," the foreign affairs adviser, Fakhruddin Ahmed, told reporters after the talks with visiting UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.

Dhaka - The United Nations wants Bangladesh hold a credible parliamentary election next month for a peaceful transition to democracy, the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said Saturday.

"I have expressed my sincere wish that this parliamentary election will be held in a more fair and objective and credible way that Bangladesh can have very smooth and peaceful transition to democracy," the UN chief told reporters after a meeting with Bangladesh foreign affairs adviser Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury.

He hoped that Dhaka's leadership in the government and political parties will cooperate in the matter.

Dhaka - United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon arrived in Dhaka Saturday to discuss topics including politics, the economy and social affairs ahead of Bangladesh's December general elections.

Receiving the UN chief at Dhaka's Zia International Airport, Bangladesh's Foreign Affairs Adviser Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury said that Ban's visit was significant for both the UN and Bangladesh, especially given the upcoming elections.

The elections are considered pivotal, as it will give the country the chance to return to democracy after two years of rule by an unelected, military-backed interim government.

Dhaka - Bangladesh's military-backed government on Saturday dismissed Indian media reports alleging involvement of a Bangladesh-based group in the recent serial blasts in north- east India that left 77 people killed.

"The allegation is totally baseless and, as in the past, have no evidence to back them up," Bangladesh foreign ministry said in a statement trashing the Indian claims.

Indian agencies have alleged that Bangladesh-based banned Islamist organisations are involved in the blasts.

An Indian opposition political leader, L K Advani also pointed a finger to Bangladesh for the violence that injured more than 300 others asking Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for action against the perpetrators of the Thursday's carnage.

Dhaka - Bangladesh's Supreme Court on Thursday denied bail in a graft case to former prime minister Sheikh Hasina Wajed, now paroled for medical treatment abroad.

A five-member Appellate Division bench headed by Chief Justice MM Ruhul Amin passed the order during a hearing into the case filed by a businessman last year.