A fresh firing resumed Thursday afternoon between the army and paramilitary Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) rebel soldiers as the troops backed by tanks are poised to take over the control of the besieged headquarters.

Witnesses said army started advancing the BDR headquarters at 4: 15 p.m. (1015 GMT) opening fire. BDR rebel soldiers also opened counter fire. Several army tanks are also moving through the street towards the headquarters.

The fresh fire resumed within hours of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's address to the nation asking the rebels to surrender their arms and return to barracks. Otherwise, she warned that her government will be forced to take any action in the interest of the nation.

In response, the rebels released some army officers and their family members who were kept hostage within the headquarters since Wednesday morning.

Army urged civilians through loudspeakers to leave their houses within three kms of the headquarters.

BDR's demands include removal of army officers from their commanding positions and increase salary and other benefits. They complained that they were repressed by their army commanders.

BDR is under Home Ministry, but its senior officers are all from the army.

In Wednesday's revolt, an unspecified number of security personnel were killed and wounded. State Minister for Law Qamrul Islam told media that the casualty figure might be around 50.

(Xinhua News Agency February 26, 2009)