DHAKA, Bangladesh, Dec. 20 (UPI) -- More than 40,000 military troops were deployed across Bangladesh Saturday amid fears of terrorist attacks before the country's elections, officials said.
Home Ministry officials said, according to BDNews, due to concerns Islamist militants may conduct terror attacks prior to the elections scheduled for Jan. 22, 2009, the troops have been stationed with police and other units, the Press Trust of India said.
Intelligence agencies had previously reported the potential for attacks aimed at creating pre-election chaos, the media group said.
The Islamist group Jamaatul Mujahideen allegedly contacted authorities in the South Asian country to vow action against the government.
The enhanced presence of Bangladesh troops throughout the country follows the country's lifting of a state of emergency after nearly two years.
The Press Trust said troops who had only returned to their barracks Wednesday after the order was lifted were immediately redeployed to face the potential terror crisis.
