Sunday, August 21 2005 17:12 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Dhaka: Bangladesh has launched a nationwide manhunt for 400 members of a banned Islamic militant outfit and its allies, suspected to be responsible for Wednesday's serial blasts across the country.

Chief of Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh Moulana Abdur Rahman and Sddiqur Rahman alias 'Bangla Bhai', said to be the mastermind behind the bombings, top the list of the 400 wanted men prepared yesterday (August 20, 2005), police officials said here.

"As it is now quite certain that this organisation carried out the attack, we are listing all its leaders and activists and trying to trace them," an investigator said.

Law enforcers are keeping a strong watch on Abdur Rahman's den and madrassa in Jamalpur." Although some intelligence officers believe Abdur Rehman and Bangla Bhai are now hiding abroad, we are continuing to look for them in the country, he said.

The list has been distributed among the police, Rapid Action Battalion and intelligence agencies in all districts, sources said.

Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, who returned home yesterday cutting short a visit to China, was unhappy with the intelligence outfits for failing to prevent the bombings and was mulling major revamp of intelligence and security agencies.

Zia had detailed briefings with officials and changes were likely in the intelligence and other security agencies, the 'Daily Star' newspaper said.

Arrests in connection with the Wednesday's bombings continued across the country. So far 123 people have been taken into custody, the Home Ministry said.