Rapid Action Battalion members seized 57 crude bombs and two kilogrammes of gunpowder-like substance in Rajshahi city early today.

None was arrested in this connection, reports our Rajshahi correspondent quoting Rab-5 official Mirza Golam Sarwar.

The recovery came five hours before the countrywide daylong hartal (shutdown) called by an alliance of Islamic parties began. Sammilito Islami Dalsamuho enforced the shutdown from 6:00am today demanding arrest of recently sacked minister Abdul Latif Siddique for anti-Islam remarks.

A team of anti-militancy cell of Rab-5 raided a road stretching from Octor intersection to Olibaba Mazar around 1:00am after receiving information that a gang numbering seven to eight persons was roaming the area suspiciously.

Sensing presence of the elite force members, the gang fled the scene leaving a sack full of the handmade bombs and gunpowder-like substance on the road, Rab official Golam Sarwar told The Daily Star.