At least 986 people were arrested nationwide in the last two days (from Thursday afternoon to yesterday afternoon) as part of the ongoing Operation Devil Hunt.

Of them, joint forces arrested 477 people in the 24 hours from Friday afternoon to yesterday afternoon, according to the Police Headquarters.

Additionally, 870 others, who were either accused or wanted in previous cases, were arrested during the same period.

During the drive, law enforcers recovered a foreign pistol, two magazines, 20 rounds of bullets, three knives, two machetes, and three hammers.

On Friday, the joint forces arrested 509 people as part of the operation, according to the PHQ. A further 948 arrests were made on the day, which fell outside the purview of Operation Devil Hunt.

This brings the total number of arrests under the operation to 4,401 as of yesterday afternoon.

The government launched the operation on February 8 to restore law and order following the attack on "students and people" in Gazipur.

Analysing reports from some districts, this newspaper found that the arrestees are mostly members of the Awami League and its associate bodies. Many are accused in cases filed after the fall of the Hasina-led government on August 5.

Law enforcement agencies yesterday detained 10 people from various upazilas in Rajshahi district as part of the ongoing drive, said Rajshahi's Additional Superintendent of Police Rafiqul Alam.

Most of the arrestees are leaders of the local Awami League, Jubo League and Krishak League.

In Sylhet, 13 people including leaders and activists of the AL and its affiliated organisations, were detained in the city as part of the special operation, reports UNB.