Combing operation named "Clean Militants Operation" by the members of Army, paramilitary the Bangladesh Rifles, police and Ansar (militia) is likely to be launched next week simultaneously across Bangladesh to nab and root out the members of different banned Islamist militant organizations.

The operation will be continued until the nabbing of Shaikh Abdur Rahman, chief of the banned Jamaatul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) and Siddiqur Rahman alias Bangla Bhai, operating commander of the outlaw Jagrata Muslim Janata Bangladesh, who confirmed as the masterminds of countrywide bombing on Aug. 17 which left three people killed and over 150 others injured, according to the local media Thursday.

The banned Islamist outfits have planned a number of bomb attacks across the country since the Aug. 17 bomb blasts in which 17 people including judges, lawyers and police were killed.

Twelve people including two lawyers and two police, were killed and over 60 others injured Tuesday morning in two suicide bomb attacks by JMB, on the southern Chittagong and northern Gazipur court premises.

In the latest wave of terror strikes on the judiciary on Tuesday, two JMB members blew themselves up. The JMB has targeted the judiciary as a part of its professed struggle to turn the state under the rule of Islamic law.

During the forthcoming "Clean Militants Operation", the members of the joint force would use modern intelligence equipment and arms and will raid suspected residences of the militants across the country including the capital city. The border areas will be sealed during the operation. The members of the joint force would be given permission to shoot at sight if required.

Before the operation, the joint force will collect the lists of militants including the members of the suicide squad of JMB, which was prepared by the different intelligence branches.

Prime Minister Khaleda Zia Wednesday called on all political parties and professional groups to sit together and find out ways to stop bomb terrorism.

Terming the current spate of bomb blasts and terrorism a national problem, the prime minister said that tougher laws would be enacted to punish the terrorists. She also urged the people to help catch those perpetrators.

The law enforcers have been asked to step up strict vigilance across the country as the intelligence agencies have information the hundreds of members of the suicide squad of JMB are assembling in Dhaka and its adjoining districts to carry out further bomb attacks.

Security measures have already been beefed up at the key-point installations, including the court premises across the country to avoid any untoward situation.

Meanwhile, law enforcers were on a hunt for "suicide bombers" of JMB after Tuesday's bomb attacks. They picked up about 50 suspects from across the country Tuesday night and Wednesday.

(Xinhua News Agency December 1, 2005)