Huge explosives, including 17 powerful bombs, 30 hand grenades and 10 kg gunpowder, were recovered from the suspected militant hideout at Mirpur's Mazar Road in the capital as Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) ended its operation yesterday, reports UNB. They elite force also recovered 50 bottles filled with chemicals, an acid container and 100 sharp weapons from the militant den. RAB Director (Legal and Media) Mufti Mahmud Khan said they recovered the bombs, grenades and other explosives during their search operation at the building.

While briefing reporters near the spot in the afternoon, he said the entire six-storey building is now free of explosives. He, however, said the crime-busting force kept the 4th and 5th floors of the building under its control.

Replying to a query, the Rab official said experts can give opinions whether the building is livable or not.

Earlier on Thursday, the elite force recovered several cartons containing huge improvised explosive devices (IEDs), some electronics devices and sharp weapons from the building.

Rab also arrested house owner Habibullah Bahar Azad and security guard Serajul Islam on Wednesday night in connection with the incident.

Earlier, the elite force recovered the skulls of seven people, including two women and two children, from the militant hideout on Wednesday following several massive explosions on Tuesday night that led to a fire.

Tipped off, a RAB team cordoned off the six-storey building on the south side of Martyred Intellectuals' Graveyard on Tuesday.

After urging the militants to lay down arms, the militants initially agreed to surrender to law enforcers on Tuesday evening.

As part of the surrender, a woman also came out of the building in the afternoon. But in the evening several explosions were heard inside the militant hideout. Later, RAB members carried out search operation inside the building.