Bangladesh attacks: 900 Islamist suspects held in crackdown

Bangladesh police say they have detained about 900 suspected militants following a series of attacks on minority and secular citizens.

Tight security has been in place since the wave of attacks began

Police launched operations overnight against Islamist extremists suspected of involvement in the attacks.
About 40 people, including secular bloggers, academics and members of religious minorities, have been killed in attacks in the past few years.

On Friday, a Hindu monastery worker was hacked to death in Pabna district. Nityaranjan Pande, who was in his 60s, died on the spot after several people attacked him, reports said.

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In the past week, a Hindu priest, a Christian grocer, and the wife of an anti-terror police officer were all killed in attacks by suspected militants.

Secular bloggers, academics, gay rights activists, and other members of religious minorities are also among those to have been killed in recent months.