'The outlawed outfit had earlier formed a small but effective group in India. But most of its Indian members defected following continuous crackdown on JMB in Bangladesh which saw arrests of many top to field level leaders here,' the official was quoted as saying.

Six leaders of JMB top brass including its ex-chief Shaikh Abdur Rahman were executed following their conviction for murdering two judges.

The outfit, however, has re-grouped and has expanded its base and activities, media reports have said.

The investigator citing Mizan's statement told The Daily Star: 'Before the national elections, 10 Indian JMB members visited Bangladesh in two equally divided groups.'

The Indian JMB members were brought in to execute the plan of foiling the ninth national election that was eventually held peacefully Dec 29 last year.

The Indians left Bangladesh in the beginning of February as the plan did not work, Mizan claims.

Bangladesh authorities have in the recent weeks caught three Indians nationals who they say have been hiding here for 14 to 15 years and have organised Islamist outfits.