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Bangladesh launches crackdown, bans two extremist oufits
by Nazrul Islam

     Dhaka: Bangladesh on Wednesday launched a crackdown on Islamic militant groups, and banned two extremist groups -- the Jagrata Muslim Janata Bangladesh (JMJB) and the Jamaatul Mujahedin. In a press note issued by the home ministry, the Khaleda Zia Government admitted for the first time that Islamic militants are active in the country. The ban comes in the wake of a number extremist outfits attempting to turn Bangladesh into an Islamic state through a revolution. Earlier, in separate countrywide drives, police arrested as many as 25 militants over the last couple of days, including a leader from the Rajshahi University on Wednesday morning. The home ministry note said the government is determined to take legal action against anyone involved in destroying peace and discipline. Expressing the government's firm conviction, the press note said: "Such activities would not be tolerated."

STF jawan killed in Jharkhand mine blast (Go To Top)

     Bokaro (Jharkhand): A jawan of the special task force (STF) was killed and three others were injured in a landmine blast near Jhumra hills in Bokaro in the wee hours of Wednesday. "The incident occurred around 2 a.m., when one of the jawans on patrolling duty stepped on the explosive in the area under Mahuatand police station," informed the Suprintecdent of Police, Anil Palta. "The injured were taken to hospital," Palta added. However, reportedly, the polling in Bokaro was going on peacefully even as the police have launched operations to apprehend the Naxalites.

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