DHAKA, Bangladesh, Oct. 10 (UPI) -- The Hindu religious festival of Durga Puja in Bangladesh was under unprecedented security measures Monday against Muslim attacks.
Sunday, Bangladesh President Iajuddin Ahmed, Prime Minister Khaleda Zia and leader of the opposition in parliament greeted the Hindu community, and called for festival organizers to cooperate with the authorities to maintain order and to be vigilant for militant activity.
NewKerala.com said bomb attacks across the country on Aug. 17 and others on courts in three districts on Oct. 3 by Islamic militants prompted the government to order more than 120,000 troops to secure border and patrol.
Last year, 16,000 troops were deployed for the 3-day festival, which honors a female Hindu deity.
