Security agents discover arms and bomb-making materials in Bangladesh

Security agents have discovered arms and bomb-making materials in a raid on a house in the Bangladeshi capital, officials said Friday. Two men were detained for questioning following the raid late Thursday in Dhaka's northern Uttara district, said the officials from the Rapid Action Battalion, an elite anti-crime force.

The men, in their late 20s, rented the house two months ago, the RAB officials said, on condition of anonymity because they are not allowed to speak to media. They said agents found 24 kilograms (53 pounds) of explosives, gun powder, safety pins and devices that can be used to make bombs and grenades.

Agents also seized five pistols, five revolvers and 300 bullets. Investigators were trying to find if the haul is linked to a banned Islamic militant organization blamed for a spate of bombings that left 26 people killed since August.

The banned group Jumatul Mujahideen Bangladesh wants to introduce harsh Islamic rule in this impoverished Muslim-majority nation governed by secular laws, reports the AP. I.L.