Bangladesh police have arrested 3,155 people in 24 hours following a spate of gruesome murders.
The nationwide operation came as Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina vowed to catch “each and every killer”.
Religious minorities, secular thinkers and liberal activists have been the prime targets of the killings.
In recent days an elderly Hindu priest was found nearly decapitated in a rice field and a Christian grocer was hacked to death near a church.
Islamist militants are claiming responsibility for the murders, but this is disputed by the Jamayetul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) militant group.
Among those detained are 37 suspected Islamist militants and 27 members of the JMB.
Hundreds of potential criminals who previously had warrants against them have also been rounded up.
Prime Minister Hasina told a meeting of her ruling Awami League party: “It may take time, but God willing, we will be able to bring them under control.
“Where will the criminals hide? Each and every killer will be brought to book.”
However, members of Bangladesh’s opposition claim the crackdown is being used to suppress political dissent – accusing police of arresting hundreds of activists.
One of those arrested – Shahjahan Robin – is a suspect in the murder of Mahmuda Begum, the wife of a top anti-terror officer who was stabbed and shot last weekend.
Her husband had led several high-profile operations against the JMB.
Police have also seized nearly 1,000 motorcycles as they have been a theme of the murders.
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Source: Sky News