Bangladeshi has "strictly alerted" security forces to prevent any plot for fresh bomb attack after the Aug. 17 countrywide serial bombings, local daily New Age reported on Friday.

The daily quoted intelligence agencies sources as saying that the warning came as the government had information that a follow- up attack could be carried out by the same Islamist group to create a total disorder in the country and to divert the ongoing investigation process.

"By analyzing the post-blast threats by Jamaatul Mujaheedin Bangladesh, which resorted to the Aug. 17 blasts, and the statements of the arrested persons, it is suspected that another attack may be carried out at any part of the country any time," an intelligence agency official was quoted as saying.

"In many cases, it was found that the first major attack is followed by a second phase of attack," he said, referring to the follow-up bombing in London in July.

The government has somehow handled the Aug. 17 serial bombings and taken seriously the probable follow-up bombing, he said, adding that things were still under control of the government after the serial bombings that had killed two persons and injured 150 others.

"But things will go out of control resulting in a total disorder if the follow-up attack is carried out," a home ministry official was quoted by New Age as saying.

Sources in the intelligence agencies said security and vigilance have been strengthened at places of worship, diplomatic zone, important installations and major educational institutions across the country where the follow-up attack might take place.

Security has also been strengthened at airports, seaports and the borders with India and Myanmar so that suspects cannot leave the country, they said.

"We are constantly watching these establishments to foil the follow-up attack," said another intelligence agency official, adding that the diplomatic zone was under their special vigil.

The government on Thursday confirmed the involvement of the banned Islamist outfit Jamaatul Mujaheedin in the Aug. 17 blasts.

The daily quoted Joint Secretary of the Home Ministry Mohammad Mohsin as saying that the clues detected by the investigators following the statements of the suspects detained and quizzed proved the outlawed Islamist group was responsible for the blasts.

Four activists of the group arrested from southwestern Satkhira and Kushtia districts were sent back to the respective police stations after being quizzed at the joint interrogation cell in Dhaka, he said.

The interrogation cell took 42 people into their custody for interrogation and sent all but seven to the respective police stations.

The seven suspects included former Islamic Foundation director Maulana Farid Uddin Masud, official sources said.

The investigators now concentrated on the spending of huge funds received by Masud from foreign countries, an official source close to the top investigators said. "Masud received a huge amount of money from foreign donors and spent it within a short time."

Masud, arrested at Zia International Airport prior to his departure for London on Monday, is now on a five-day remand.

Meanwhile, the law enforcers continued a massive hunt in search of the perpetrators of the Aug. 17 blasts.

Source: Xinhua