Dhaka, January 21
Bangladesh’s elite anti-terror force has arrested five members of the banned Islamist outfit Hizb ut-Tahrir in connection for a failed coup attempt, as it launched a massive manhunt to nab key suspect Major Syed Ziaul Haque.

Rapid Action Battalion has arrested five activists of Hizb ut-Tahrir which was suspected to have links with the plot through Major Haque, an army spokesman said today.

The spokesman said a massive manhunt was underway to arrest the fugitive Major and law enforcing agency raided his in-laws home in southwestern Patuakhali district yesterday as part of the campaign. One security personnel was injured during the arrests yesterday.

The Bangladesh army on Thursday said it has foiled a plot to topple the government and arrested two former officers besides launching a manhunt for a fugitive in-service Major while some 16 others are being kept under vigil. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today accused opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party of having involvement in the coup plot.

Speaking at a party meeting, she said the abortive coup had a visible link with BNP chief and her arch-rival Khaleda Zia’s earlier comments pledging to out the government by 2012. “There will be no more usurping power in Bangladesh,” she said.

No comments from BNP was immediately available on Hasina’s remark but a senior party leader and former law minister Moudud Ahmed rejected the allegation saying BNP never wanted to go to power through undemocratic means.

Law Minister Shafique Ahmed told PTI that detail coup plan was unfolding gradually and suspects were likely to be tried in court marshal under Army Act.

Brigadier-General Mohammad Masud Razzak told a crowded press conference at Dhaka Cantonment on Thursday that 14-16 officers were under vigil as a probe was underway while the detained two former officers “bluntly admitted their role in the plot”. — PTI