8 Islamist militants held

The security forces have arrested eight suspected Islamist militants linked to the banned Jamaatul Mujaheedin Bangladesh with a large cache of explosives, days ahead of the landmark parliamentary polls in the country.

The security forces have arrested eight suspected Islamist militants linked to the banned Jamaatul Mujaheedin Bangladesh (JMB) with a large cache of explosives, days ahead of the landmark parliamentary polls in the country, an official said.

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The security forces arrested eight suspected militants in Pashchim Komornoi village (Kodomtola) under Gaibandha sadar upazila. The Special Branch in association with Gobindaganaj police also seized 50 casings of grenade, grenade-making materials, huge explosives and Islamic books from Chakshibpur and Parkachua villages, The Daily Star newspaper reported.

Police said they arrested JMB's regional commander Reji from Gobindaganj upazila headquarters first and two others with explosives on the basis of confession on Thursday.

Gaibandha police chief S M Moniruzzaman said the explosives might have been collected for any big attack ahead of the next week's parliamentary election. He said they were yet to find any link to the arrest of JMB and grenade seizure in Comilla.

The JMB has been blamed for a series of blasts in 2005 that killed at least 28 people. Police said JMB has been trying to reorganise in recent months after its leaders were arrested and executed in March 2007.