Thursday, December 15 2005 17:05 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Dhaka: In a major success, security forces have arrested four key figures of the banned militant outfit Jamatul Mujaheedin Bangladesh, including its top commander of the military wing, and seized huge cache of weapons and explosives in capital Dhaka.

The arrested JMB militants include Ataur Rahman Sunny, the commander of the military wing of the banned outfit, its Chittagong chief Javed Iqbal, Cox's Bazar chief Mohammad Naimuzzaman and an 'accountant', sources said.

Police have blamed the JMB for blasts that have killed 22 people and wounded scores in different parts of Bangladesh recently.

State Minister for Home Affairs Lufuzzaman Babor told reporters that more good news in its anti-militant drive would be coming soon.

"Those responsible for the bomb attacks will be put on trial. We are very serious about it," Babor said adding "police are making progress in the investigation".

The Minister said he hoped some important information would arise from police interrogation of the arrested four. "It is indeed a matter of great significance firstly because the forces now know that the militants are capable of making indigenous grenades, guns and bullets along with powerful bombs," security sources said.

The daily 'Prothom Alo' today reported that the JMB had planned to attack tomorrow, when Bangladesh celebrates its victory against the Pakistani army in 1971, and on the New Year's Eve when revellers are out in the streets in droves. In Dhaka's Uttar Mandai area, the elite forces today seized weapons, including 28 'indigenous' grenades, 24 revolvers, detonators, bombs, explosive materials and Jehadi or Islamic holy war books.