Dhaka, May 17 -- A dismissed soldier and his two associates have been arrested on charges of "planning a major sabotage" disguised as a protest rally and attacking army personnel.

The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said Md Naimul Islam and his two associates were arrested by law-enforcing agencies in Dhaka's Khilkhet around 2pm on Saturday.

However, the identities of the associates were not given in the ISPR statement.

It said Naimul was "planning a major sabotage" at the entrance of Dhaka Cantonment and was carrying out different provocative campaigns on social media.

"Since Aug 5, he has been plotting subversive activities, as well as making provocative statements in the media, in coordination with several former army person...