Dhaka, Feb. 28 -- Joint forces have arrested another 743 individuals on the 19th day of the nationwide crackdown styled "Operation Devil Hunt".

According to a separate account given by the Police Headquarters, the number of arrests exceeded 18,000 for the first 18 days of the operation.

In the past 24 hours alone, joint forces have detained 1,657 people from different parts of the country, including 914 taken into custody under existing warrants and cases.

Law-enforcing agencies also reported the recovery of a shooter gun, a cartridge, and two knives during the latest sweep.

A total of 29,396 people have been arrested by police officials in the 19 days since the joint forces began their operation.

The interim government initiated the...