Monday, March 6 2006 11:37 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Dhaka: Security forces in Bangladesh today (Mar 6, 2006) arrested a top Islamic militant, involved in recent bomb attacks in the country in which at least 26 people have been killed, from the northern Mymensingh district.

Sidiqul Islam alias 'Bangla Bhai' the second in command of the banned militant outfit Jamatul Mujaheed in Bangladesh (JMB) was arrested by the elite Rapid Action Battalion, Director of battalion Commodore Mashuk said.

Acting on a tip off, RAB members surrounded the Rampur area of Mymensingh and arrested the militant leader, the UNB news agency said.

Islam's arrest comes five days after Shaikh Abdur Rahman, head of banned Islamic militant group, was arrested in northeastern Sylhet city after being surrounded by security agents.

Security had been tightened in northeastern Sylhet city to thwart any possible retaliation by JMB after Rahman's arrest.

Rahman has been under a 10-day remand since his arrest last Tuesday and is being quizzed by a Joint Interrogation Cell.

So far some 900 members of the JMB have been arrested and 22 have been sentenced to death in lower courts.

The JMB has bombed to death at least 26 people including judges and policemen since August 17 last year when the group openly demanded an Islamic rule in Bangadesh with nationwide bombings.