Dhaka - Bangladesh's security forces on Sunday captured eight members of a banned Islamist outfit, three of whom are believed to be members of its suicide squad, from Dhaka's Khilkhet areas, officials said. The members of the elite anti-crime Rapid Action Battalion also seized a large quantity of bomb-making materials, leaflets, books on jihad, religious CDs, audio cassettes from their possessions.

The capture and seizures came barely two days ahead of the celebration of Bangli New Year on Tuesday.

The lawmen suspect that the militants might have plans to obstruct the celebration.

All the members of the suspected militants belonged to the outlawed Jamaatul Mujahideen Bangladesh, top leaders of which were executed in 2007 for major terrorist attacks in Bangladesh.

"The militants are apparently trying to regrouping following their networks were dismantled after execution of their kingpins," said Kamruzzaman, an assistant superintendent of police deputed to the battalion.

Earlier in March, police unearthed a bomb factory at a religious school run by a British charity in southern Bhola district, and captured a Briton who heads the Green Crescent charity. (dpa)