Prime Minister Khaleda Zia yesterday told parliament that the government would take up the matter through appropriate channel if the explosives came from a neighbouring country for the recent bombings in Bangladesh.

"We're examining the recovered explosives to see from where and how those came… We have seen some of those came from a neighbouring country; we've seen it in the newspapers as well. If the explosives come from a neighbouring country, we will discuss it through appropriate agency,” she said.

The prime minister made the

statement in response to a supplementary question of Moazzem Hossain Alal of the ruling BNP during the prime minister's question hour in the House.

Alal wanted to know whether the government would take any diplomatic initiative since some recovered explosive materials bear the seal of a neighbouring country.

Answering another supplementary from Shamsul Alam Pramanik (BNP), Khaleda said the government has been making all-out efforts to arrest JMB chief Shaikh Abdur Rahman and his patrons, no matter whoever they are and whatever position they hold.

"We'll take action under the law

of the land against terrors, whoever, and whatever party they belong to. We've already cleared our position against them," the prime minister said.

She assured the lawmakers that those who are patronising Shaikh Abdur Rahman would be caught disregarding their position and party.

Earlier, in reply to a question raised in the name of Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the prime minister said sudden unrest erupted in the country following the activities by a misguided quarter using religious garbs.

"The government has taken quick steps and a firm position against the bombers,” she said, adding that four terror outfits, including the JMB, had been banned and some 631 suspects arrested until January 20.

Besides, she said, law enforcers recovered huge bombs, arms and bomb-making materials from the secret dens of terrorists. The government also announced bounties to catch the JMB leaders of different ranks.

The prime minister said after the bomb attacks in the northern region in February last year, and particularly after the August 17 blasts, the government took several measures to nab the bombers, break their network, ensure the trial and punishment to the arrestees and ban the militant outfits.

Referring to her address to the nation over radio and television on November 10, Khaleda said she had reiterated her firm commitment to resist the bombers and terrorist activities and called upon the alem and the people to build up united resistance against bomb terrorism in the name of Islam.

The prime minister informed the House that she formally invited different political parties and social organisations through letters and discussed the matter.