1,600 detained by Bangladesh authorities in bid to end attacks

Authorities have rounded up about 1,600 suspected petty criminals, including some believed to be Islamist radicals, in a nationwide crackdown aimed at halting a wave of brutal attacks on minorities and activists in Bangladesh.

Police spokesman Kamrul Islam said that officers and paramilitary soldiers had fanned out across the country on Thursday night to raid suspected militant hideouts and detain about 1,600 people within 24 hours.