Sources said the JMB militants trained at these centres can operate any kind of guns and set off grenades and bombs.

Divided in 16 groups each with 12 to 24 members, these JMB operatives spread out to cover the districts in Khulna Division in the first week of August.

They have achieved their preliminary target by carrying out the August 17 blasts and are waiting for operations yet to come, the sources added.

The sources confirmed that Siddiqul Islam alias Bangla Bhai stayed at the house of a pro-Jamaat journalist after he was released on bail from Bagerhat jail on November 20, 2002.

Bangla Bhai, operations commander of Jagrata Muslim Janata, Bangladesh (JMJB), was introduced to the lawyers, who moved his bail petition, the next day.

A top official of Bagerhat police speaking anonymously said Bangla Bhai came to Mollahat upazila in the district on a recruiting mission in August 2002.

In course of time, the recruited members were made JMB or JMJB cadres through brainwashing and adequate training at different mosques and madrasas, the cop added.

"The JMB cadres made dedicated and committed to laying down their lives are moving in the guise of the general public. It is very difficult to trap them now," the policeman said.