The Ehsars [bachelors sworn not to return home before completing a mission] and activists aspiring to be shaheeds (martyrs) are training in the chars in Bogra to carry out such operations.

Meanwhile, Harkatul Jihad (Huji) on Sunday called different key installations in Khulna city and threatened to blow up those if Mufti Abdul Hannan was not released unconditionally.

A caller identifying himself as a Huji regional leader warned this time the attacks will be more devastating than the August 17 bombings.

Besides, the district and sessions judge in Munshiganj yesterday received a letter, reportedly from JMB, which threatened to blow up his courthouse during Ramadan.

Moreover, JMB cadre Shahidullah alias Lokman in a confessional statement before a magistrate's court said the bombings were carried out at the directives of JMB chief Abdur Rahman and JMJB operations commander Bangla Bhai.

He named 12 Islamist extremists including himself who were directly involved in the August 17 blasts in Khulna.

MISSION TO FREE ARRESTEES
Our Bogra correspondent reports: The JMB and JMJB have decided to snatch arrested activists on their way to courts and prisons across the country.

A special 'suicide squad' has been formed comprising the bomb squad members of the banned outfits, said a source close to the JMB.

Abdul Awal, son-in-law of JMB chief Abdur Rahman, would lead the squad and has already set out for border areas to collect explosives, the source added. Several JMB activists have also left the district on the same mission.

The source also said the suicide squad members will be sent to all the major districts to 'free' their fellows arrested in Bogra, Gaibandha and Naogaon.

The bomb attacks would be 'well planned', the source continued, adding that 'Ehsars' would play a vital role and be honoured as 'shaheed' if they die.

Meanwhile, intelligence agencies suspect female activists of the banned organizations may take part in future bombings. Police have recently seized a military cap from a female madrasa at Naruri.

Intelligence sources said students of the madrasa might have been trained as militants to take part in any attack.

The daughter of Abdur Rahman and wife of Faruq, responsible for August 17 blasts in Gaibandha, was a trainer at the madrasa, the sources added.

Meantime, Mamunur Rashid, popularly known as Faruq and accused of attacking police at Moheshpur in Joypurhat, is living in Bogra shaving off his beard, sources said.

HUJI THREATS
The Huji has threatened to blow up key installations in Khulna if Mufti Hannan was not released, reports our staff correspondent in Khulna.

"We are just waiting for orders from the high command to bomb the targets in cooperation with JMB," the caller told heads of different key installations over phone, sources said.

Police and intelligence sources said Huji may target KMP headquarters, offices of the divisional commissioner and superintendent of police, Rupsha Bridge, BTV substation, temples, Khulna station of Bangladesh Betar, power station, BTTB office, newspaper offices, press club, courts and other key installations.

The commissioner of Khulna Metropolitan Police (KMP) said he knows about the threats, adding that a security blanket has already been thrown on the city.

MUNSHIGANJ JUDGE THREATENED
District and Sessions Judge M Ali Mansur received an anonymous letter written in red ink that threatened to blow up his court building, reports UNB.

The letter posted at the district head post office yesterday called for establishing Islamic rules.

The judge held an emergency meeting with all concerned at his office and informed police. Security has been beefed up in the court areas.

Superintendent of Police M Shahidullah Chowdhury confirmed the letter was posted at Munshiganj head post office, but could not give details.

Meanwhile, two alleged JMB members -- Arif, 18, son of Abdul Aziz of Jinnat Kuri village in Dinajpur and Mazharul Islam, 20, son of Alimuddin of Malada Colony in Rajshahi -- were arrested at North Majupur village and placed on a seven-day remand yesterday.

DRIVE TO NAB JAMAAT LEADER DHIRA
Police launched a fresh drive in Khulna division to arrest Jamaat-e-Islami leader Shahabuddin Lashkar alias Dhira, a suspected mastermind behind the killing of Khulna Bureau chief of Dainik Sangram Shaikh Belaluddin.

Intelligence agencies learnt Mufti Hannan hid at Dhira's house after planting a bomb near the meeting venue of the then prime minister Sheikh Hasina at Kotalipara in 2000.

Dhira went into hiding soon after the arrest of Hannan, reports our Khulna staff correspondent.

Dhira is the alleged head of Khulna divisional unit of a Huji bomb squad and suspected mastermind behind planting bombs at a meeting venue of Sheikh Helal, MP in 2001.

Meantime, JMB cadre Shahidullah alias Lokman, 18, in his confessional statement named 12 Islamist extremists as masterminds and bombers in Khulna.

They are Abdur Rahman, Bangla Bhai, Maolana Arif, Palash, Feroz, Mahmud, Musa, Suman, Munna, Masum, Mintu and he himself.

Shahidullah told the court he fled to Dhaka from Khulna after the bomb blasts.

He said two people -- Suman and Faruque -- took him to Satkhira by motorcycle to carry a bag to Khulna.

They gave him Tk 1,000 in advance near Tablig Mosque at Nirala in 2003.

He said Arif taught him how to carry out destructive activities and join jihad for establishing Islamic rules. Arif played a key role in placing the bombs and sent other JMB cadres early on August 17 to explode the bombs.