Three militants arrested in Bangladesh

Three militants of the banned terror group Jamaatul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) were arrested on Sunday in the port city of Chittagong.

"Powerful firearms, huge ammunition, explosives and military suits were also seized," said Chittagong Metropolitan Police Commissioner Mohammad Shafiqul Islam.

He said the police seized MK 11 high precision semi-automatic sniper rifles, five kg of explosive gel, 13 military uniforms, 252 rounds of bullets, 25 detonators, a pair of badges in the ranks of an army major, a huge amount of explosives and grenade-making material, Xinhua news agency reported.

The arrest came days after law enforcers carried out a raid on hideouts of the banned Islamist outfit and arrested seven suspected militants with large amount of explosives and grenades in capital Dhaka.

Communication equipment and jihadi literature were also seized during the raid at an apartment building in Dhaka's downtown Mirpur area on Thursday.

JMB, campaigning for the establishment of Islamic rule in Bangladesh, conducted a series of bombings in 63 out of the country's 64 districts.

Hundreds of JMB leaders and activists were rounded up while six top leaders, including Shaikh Abdur Rahman, were hanged in 2007.