With the latest suicide bomb attack in front of the Netrokona district Udichi office yesterday that killed seven people including a district unit Udichi leader, the country witnessed at least 33 major bomb and grenade attacks so far, claiming at least 179 lives.

Until the August 17 countrywide serial bomb blasts, the government failed to identify the attackers or ascertain the motives behind the bomb and grenade attacks that started in 1999.

But this year the identity of the attackers has become clear as Islamist militants themselves claimed responsibility for carrying out the serial blasts on August 17 and all subsequent attacks.

For long a section of people were expressing concern over the rise of Islamist militants and their destructive activities.

They also pointed finger at international militant outfit Harkatul Jihad Al-Islami (Huji) leader Mufti Hannan, saying he had a hand in the plot to kill the then prime minister Sheikh Hasina in 1999 by planting 76-kg bombs near her meeting venue at Kotalipara in Gopalganj.

No effective steps were however taken against the militant outfit and its members for long.

On different occasions, militants fought with police and for mysterious reasons, police had to release militants including their linchpins Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) leader Siddiqul Islam alias Bangla Bhai, JMB Chief Abdur Rahman's brother Ataur Rahman Sunny and son-in-law Abdul Awal.

Even in March-April last year, JMB militants led by Bangla Bhai and Abdur Rahman carried out exercises of their own style in Rajshahi, Naogaon and Natore in the name of outlaw cleansing operation with the backing of the local administrations and law enforcers.

There are allegations that some ruling coalition ministers and lawmakers directly patronised the militants in the operation and provided administrative support to them.

Besides, allegations of patronising Islamist militancy were brought time and again against the coalition, particularly Jamaat-e-Islami, even by many leaders and activists of the ruling BNP.

CRONOLOGY OF MAJOR BLASTS
Ten killed at Udichi function, Jessore, on March 6, 1999.
Eight killed in Ahmadiya Mosque, Khulna, on October 8, 1999.
Seven killed at the CPB rally at Paltan in Dhaka on January 20, 2001.
Ten killed at the Pohela Boishakh function at Ramna in Dhaka on April 14, 2001.
Ten killed in June 3, 2001 at a church in Gopalganj.
Twenty-two killed at the AL office in Narayanganj on June 15, 2001.
Eight killed at an AL rally in Bagerhat on September 23, 2001.
Four killed at an AL rally in Sunamganj on September 26, 2001.
Three killed in Satkhira Cinema hall blast on September 28, 2002.
21 killed at a cinema hall in Mymensingh on December 06, 2002,
Seven left dead at Falai Peer Shrine, Tangail, on January 17, 2003.
AL Leader Manjurul Imam killed in Khulna on August 25, 2003.
Five killed at Hazrat Shahjalal Shrine, Sylhet, on January 12, 2004.
Journalist Manik Saha killed in Khulna on January 15, 2004.
Fatally injured in a bomb attack in Khulna on February 5, journalist Shaikh Belaluddin succumbed to injuries on February 11, 2004.
Three killed at Hazrat Shahjalal Shrine, Sylhet, on May 21, 2004.
Journalist Humayun Kabir Balu killed in Khulna on June 27, 2004.
One killed in a cinema hall in Sylhet on August 05, 2004.
One killed at the mayor's meeting in Sylhet on August 07, 2004.
Twenty-three killed at an AL rally in Dhaka on August 21, 2004.
Five killed at an AL rally in Habiganj on January 27, 2005.
One killed at an Akhaura shrine on August 12, 2005.
Three killed in countrywide serial blasts on August 17, 2005.
Three killed in bomb attacks on three district courts on October 3, 2005.
A failed suicide bomb attack was made on Sylhet judge Biplob Goshswami on October 18, 2005.
Two judges killed in Jhalakathi on November 14, 2005.
Ten killed in suicide bomb attacks in Gazipur and Chittagong courts on November 29, 2005.
One killed in suicide attack on Gazipur DC office on December 1, 2005.
Grenade attack on Sylhet Mayor and AL leader Kamran on December 2, 2005.