South Asia News
Bangladesh army says it foiled coup attempt to overthrow government
Jan 19, 2012, 11:59 GMT
Dhaka - The Bangladeshi army said on Thursday it had foiled an attempt by a group of officers to overthrow the government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wazed.
'The number of so-called conspirators is between 15 and 20,' said Brigadier General Muhammad Masud Razzaq. 'Stern legal measures will be taken against those involved.'
Bangladesh, which has a history of military coups, was ruled by army generals for 15 years, until 1990.
The coup attempt was allegedly led by Islamic fanatics with links to the army. The army has detained some of the officers behind the plot. At least one remains at large.
Hasina has been facing threats from Islamists and other radicals since she took office in January 2009.
A February 2009 revolt by the paramilitary force which controls the impoverished country's borders killed more than 70 people, mainly army soldiers.
Hasina's father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the hero of Bangladesh's independence from Pakistan, was assassinated along with family members by army officers in August 1975.
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