The revelation came in sharp contrast with the political rhetoric from both government and opposition quarters that blamed each other for involvement in the incident.

While State Minister for Home Lutfozzaman Babar hinted the arms shipment might be connected to Awami League (AL)'s April 30 deadline for the government's fall, AL leaders on the other hand blamed quarters within the government for involvement in the matter.

Farooq claimed he and his team are investigating the case without being biased. "We talked to the available sources and got the names of a few people who were on the spot. The next course of action would be easier once they are arrested," he said while talking to the press at the home ministry yesterday.

After checking circumstantial evidences, the committee came to the conclusion that three men -- Din Mohammed, a labour contractor, Haji Sobhan, proprietor of a trawler, and Hafizuddin, owner of a car found near the Chittagong Urea Fertiliser Limited (CUFL) jetty -- were involved in the arms smuggling. The brother of Hafizuddin told the committee that Hafizuddin has a criminal record including a murder in 1998.

"We will be able to disclose where the arms consignment was destined for once any one of the three men are arrested," the home secretary said.

The five-member committee went to Chittagong on April 5 and visited several places including CUFL, Kafco and two ships, and interviewed 31 people before returning to the capital on Thursday.

Farooq said the two trawlers and 10 trucks that brought and offloaded the weapons have already been seized.

"Without permission from the commerce ministry, it is illegal to dock at the state-run CUFL jetty. So, the smugglers must have unloaded the arms and explosives without permission," he said.

Asked whether he will make the probe report public, Farooq said, "We will submit it to the government as soon as it is finished."

"We have got photographs of two of the three men involved in the crime and a manhunt is on to arrest them."

He flatly ruled out any police negligence, saying that it was rather due to police's prompt action that the arms and ammunition could be seized.

Farooq avoided a direct reply when asked about the role of other secret agencies at the Chittagong port. He also disagreed with press reports that eight AK-47 assault rifles went missing from the arms cache before it was seized.

About allegations of the US and Pakistan's involvement in the incident, he said, "I do not like to be speculative," adding that the consignment did not have the country of origin written on it.

"We will employ our best efforts to probe the incident," he said in reply to a question whether Interpol could be asked to run the investigation.

Farooq suggested setting up observation towers at the jetty and strengthened patrolling in the area to avoid such incidents.

Other committee members Brigadier-Generals Rezaul Haider Chowdhury and Enamul Haque Chowdhury, DIG (Deputy Inspector General) of CID (Criminal Investigation Department) Farooq Ahmed and DIG of SB (Special Branch) Shamsul Islam were present.