BDR troops surrender en masse to Bangladesh army ....................

There are reports that BDR jawans have surrendered en masse inside the BDR headquarter area to the Bangladesh army.

White flags have been hoisted at the Bangladesh Rifles' headquarters and the army officers kept hostage by the mutineers are being released in phases.

The developments come even as Bangladesh army was all set to storm the headquarters of the Bangladesh rifles in Dhaka through all its gates near Nilkhet and Hazaribagh amid fears of more bloodshed.

Already, the big guns and tanks have been out on the streets. The Army has taken position near the Parliament.

Also, now sources say the casualty figure could be as high as 170. Efforts have been made to evacuate civilians from the BDR cantonment. Over the past few hours, the unrest has been spreading to other areas of Bangladesh, some of them close to India's border.

And, a while ago a clearly alarmed Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued a stern statement telling soldiers to surrender or face tough action.

"Don't force me take harsh steps. Please surrender your arms. I guarantee you will come to no harm. If the situation deteriorates then in the interests of the country I may have to take harsh measures . Don't make me do that," she said.

Twenty-four after the rebellion in the Bangladesh Rifles HQ, there are reports of the rebellion spreading beyond Dhaka -- to Jessore, Chittagong, Sylhet Rajshahi, Khulna and Feni.

The trouble is spreading to areas where army units are trying to take control. Towns like Khulna and Feni bordering Tripura have also been affected. Exchange of fire reported between army and BDR soldiers in camps in these towns.

BSF Troops in the Meghalaya sector have sighted Bangladesh army troops instead of BDR soldiers along the border.