They, however, have yet to be sure whether the attack this time would be countrywide.

In response to widespread apprehension among the intelligence agencies, instructions have been given to strengthen security at important establishments including the power stations.

Hinting at the involvement of Jamaat and its student wing Islami Chhatra Shibir (ICS) in the August 17 blasts, members of an intelligence agency said the anti-militant operations are being severely hindered by influential quarters.

Policemen have to think twice before acting against suspected or confirmed extremists alike, as instructions are there not to harass leaders and activists of Jamaat-Shibir and Ahle Hadith Andolon Bangladesh (Ahab) chief Asadullah Galib and his followers, they added.

Law enforcers cannot work freely due to the government's 'arrest militant, release them' policy, detectives said. They said they have evidence that many on the 'not-to-be harassed' list that the home ministry has sent recently to Gaibandha and other northern districts are in fact involved with the militant groups.

For instance, a police officer seeking anonymity said, they have been instructed not to arrest Lutfor Rahman of Bagmara upazila of Rajshahi. "A college teacher by profession, Lutfor is an adviser to militant kingpin Bangla Bhai. He was with Jamaat before joining hands with Bangla Bhai's Jagrata Muslim Janata Bangladesh (JMJB)," he said.

Lutfor went into hiding after the government banned JMJB on February 23. But as police received instructions not to harass him, he soon got back to his area. He had met a Jamaat leader immediately after coming out of hiding, said sources.

There are militants even among the police sub-inspectors who were given the jobs according to a list made by the ruling parties, added the sources.

Intelligence agencies had alerted the government on several occasions to the presence of extremist elements within the law enforcement agencies. They had called for action particularly against one such militant cop hailing from Bogra's Shariakandi, who is now at Sarda Police Academy. But nothing has yet been done to this end, observed an intelligence source.