But none of the arrestees are suspects in the recent killings that have taken place across the country.
Police said those who were arrested in different districts yesterday already had terrorist links or had been kept under intelligence surveillance. Some of those arrested were also militant suspects currently out on bail.
According to the Police Headquarters, so far the special drive has led to the arrests of 145 militants including Rahmani's elder brothers – Aiyub Ali, 55, and Khalilur Hawlader, 50.
Our correspondents reported that all the detained men had long been in the police's terrorist list.
However, none of the freshly arrested suspects had any direct connection to the recent string of militant attacks, they reported.
The arrestees include 45-year-old Saidul Islam, from Shibganj of Chapainawabganj, who has several cases filed against him under the anti-terrorism act, said Shibganj police station Officer-in-Charge MM Moinul Islam.
Another suspected Harkat-ul-Jihad militant, 35-year-old Shariful Islam alias Ripon, was arrested from Fatullah in Narayanganj. Police said Ripon had been previously arrested on several occasions, while yesterday's arrest was made in connection with sabotage cases from last year.
Talking about the drive, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal said only those who had arrest warrants against them were being detained. “No arrest was made with ill or political motive. The IGP has confirmed that no innocent people was arrested or harassed during the drive.”
Only the suspects who had strong evidence against them were being held, the minister said.
Asked about the duration of the drive, Kamal said it was initiated by the IGP and would end as per his directive.
AKM Shahidur Rahman, the deputy inspector general (media) of police, said drives against criminals are carried out throughout the year as it is a continuous process. But a special drive – such as the one going on – are also launched when it is needed, the DIG said.
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