Tight security on militant threat as B'desh marks Independence Day

BANGLADESH: Security was tight in the Bangladesh capital Sunday as the country marked its 35th Independence Day anniversary by highlighting action against deadly Islamic militant attacks in the past year. Nearly 10,000 police guarded key venues in Dhaka including the National Parade Ground, police said.

Hundreds of thousands crowded the streets as President Iajuddin Ahmed and Prime Minister Khaleda Zia witnessed a military parade that featured short-range missiles, tanks, MiG-29 fighter jets, paratroopers and elite commandos.

Two trucks carried floats depicting the elite Rapid Action Battalion's capture of the top two leaders of banned Islamic group Jamayetul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) from their hideouts earlier this month.

The RAB captured the leader of JMB Shaikh Abdur Rahman and his second in command Siddiqul Islam alias Bangla Bhai after months on the run for allegedly planning a nationwide wave of bombs.

Dhaka police chief Mizanur Rahman said they have increased security to guard against any attack from the remnants of the JMB. "We have taken highest security in all the venues where the Independence Day celebrations will take place," he told AFP.

The bomb attacks, many of which targeted the judiciary, were part of a bloody campaign to impose strict Islamic law in the Muslim-majority country.

At least 28 people have died in the blasts since last August, including four suicide bombers.

DHAKA, Sunday, AFP