Bangladesh guard mutiny 'spreads'

Fresh gunfire reported at the Dhaka headquarters of the Bangladesh paramilitary HQ, as reports of mutiny spreading to other towns.

Bangladeshi troops wait armed and ready as the stand-off between the army and mutinous border guards continues into it's second day.

A mutiny by thousands of members of Bangladesh's paramilitary border security force started at their headquarters in the capital Dhaka.

Reports say the revolt- started by troopers over pay and conditions- has now spread to towns outside Dhaka.

Nearly 50 people were killed in gunbattles on Wednesday - mostly civilians caught in crossfire.

But at least eight of the dead were paramilitaries.

It's not clear how many people are still being held at the barracks, where reports of fresh gunfire were heard early Thursday.

Family and friends, crowded around the complex where one relative says her son-in-law is inside.

SOUNDBITE: Farida Mahboob, mother-in-law of a detained army officer, saying (Bengali):

"My son-in-law is detained inside the headquarters. We last spoke with him at 10.30 am but later when we called, some other person picked up the telephone and did not give us any information. The whole day we sat before the television set, but the media is not giving any news about the detained officers. We are very anxious."

The escalating crisis is the most serious facing Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina since returning the country to democracy in December.

The mutineers spurned the Bangladeshi leader's amnesty offer.

Hasina is warning the troops of harsh action if they don't end their rebellion.

Neena Dhaun, Reuters.