Bangladesh says leader of attempted coup killed

The leader of an abortive armed rebellion in which President Ziaur Rahman was assassinated has been killed, a Bangladesh government statement reported. Maj. Gen. Abul Manzur, who led the coup attempt, died when a group of "agitated armed men" tried to snatch him from his escort of security guards who had tracked him down in a jungle hideout at Fatikchari, the statement added. Two other rebel officers being escorted with him back to Chittagong were also killed.

The statement did not say if the gang was seeking revenge for the assassination of President Zia, buried with full military honors in Dacca Tuesday. It said that 17 other Army officers were arrested after the rebellion and a search was continuing for several others. An Army field court-martial has been for med to try the assassins.