Aug 17 series blasts case accused held in Dhaka

This Star file photo shows abandoned explosives found after the countrywide explosions carried out by Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh on August 17, 2005.

Members of Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) today arrested a leader of Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) in connection with August 17 series bomb blasts case in Bhatara area of Dhaka.

The arrestee Sagir Hossain, 30, is a charge sheeted accused in the blasts case.

Acting on a tip-off, a team of Rab-1 raided the area and arrested Sagir early in the morning, Rab headquarters sources said.

On August 17, 2005, around 500 bombs went off at 300 locations in 63 out of the 64 districts of the country.

The bombs exploded in half an hour from 11:30 am and Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) claimed responsibility for the blasts.