Troops find more victims of Bangladesh mutiny

Dozens of bodies were found in hastily-dug mass graves as the clean-up began today after Bangladesh's brief military mutiny.

Security forces searching the headquarters of the Bangladesh Rifles border guards said they found the bodies of officers murdered by their men.

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Hundreds of mutinous soldiers have been arrested and roadblocks thrown up across the country to capture more.

At least 40 bodies have been found since the revolt over poor pay and conditions ended, although officials say many more people are missing and it appeared likely that the death toll would increase.

"We are digging out dozens of decomposing bodies dumped into mass graves. We are still taking the bodies out, so I can't give you an exact number," Brigadier Abu Naim Shahidullah said. All the victims appeared to be officers, he said, and were wearing combat fatigues.

The mutiny ended yesterday with soldiers laying down their arms, shortly after the government sent tanks into Dhaka. The border guards were also promised amnesty to persuade them to surrender.

But as night fell many fled under cover of darkness.

A spokesman for the elite Rapid Action Battalion, said more than 230 mutineers - most dressed in civilian clothing - were rounded up on the outskirts of Dhaka and security forces arrested 68 more near the town of Savar 25 miles from Dhaka.