Islamist-inspired coup foiled, says Bangladesh army

"We have unearthed a heinous conspiracy to overthrow the democratic government through the army," army spokesman Brigadier General Masud Razzaq said in a written statement.

"The attempt has been thwarted with the whole-hearted efforts of army soldiers," the statement said, adding that the plot had been fomented by Bangladeshi expatriates in touch with "religiously fanatic army officers".

Razzaq said two retired officers including a colonel had been arrested in connection with the conspiracy. He named a serving officer, Major Syed Ziaul Haq, as a "co-planner" who sent emails to colleagues urging them to help seize power on 9 and 10 January and said that the banned Islamist group Hizbut Tahrir circulated the messages.

There were protests by Islamic activists last year after Hasina’s government changed the constitution to reinforce its secular character, while keeping Islam as the state religion.

And there were rumours of a foiled coup attempt last month after opposition leader Khaleda Zia accused the government of “incidences of disappearances” of military personnel.

The army called her charges “provocative and misleading”.

The army set up a court of inquiry to try the alleged plotters on 28 December, according to Razzaq.

Bangladesh has undergone several coups and counter-coups since it broke away from Pakistan in 1971 and there was a mutiny by border guards in 2009.