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Bangla army foils coup plot

By The Assam Tribune

DHAKA, Jan 19 � The Bangladesh Army has foiled a coup plot by certain �religiously fanatic� serving and retired army officers to overthrow the democratically elected government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and have arrested two former officers, reports PTI.

The �henious conspiracy� was unearthed last month and two retired officers - Lt Col Ehsan Yousuf and Major Zakir - have been arrested while a a serving officer Major Syed Mohammad Ziaul Huq, a co-planner is absconding.

�A band of fanatic officers had been trying to oust the politically established government. Their attempt has been foiled,� army spokesman Brigadier General Mohammad Masud Razzak told a crowded press conference here today.

He said that 14 to 16 officers were under vigil as investigations were underway on the their suspected involvement while the arrested two former officers �bluntly admitted their role in the plot�. He declined to say when the arrest were made.

He said the plot has been fomented by Bangladeshis expatriates in touch with �religiously fanatic army officers�.

�The attempt has been thwarted with the whole hearted efforts of the Army soldiers,� Razzak said in a written statement.

Talking about the absconding officer, Razzak said Maj Huq in an effort to implement his anti-state conspiracies sent e-mails to different serving officers to execute his operation plans on January 9 and 10.

He however declined to comment on the details of the plot or the suspects but said they all were officers of �middle level�.

Bangladesh has a long history of coups and counter coups. The country was under direct or pseudo military rules for over a decade, since August 15, 1975.

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