Swift action on the Kalyanpur terrorist den based on top intelligence saved the country from a major catastrophe, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said today.

"Nine terrorists were killed, one was detained and another managed to escape," the premier said while addressing the inaugural of the four-day annual conference of deputy commissioners at her office.

It was understood that they (the alleged militants) were preparing for sabotage, Hasina said.

"Several terrorists took preparation for carrying out a terrorist act, and according to a report by our detectives, law enforcers took swift measures."

The police force conducted the operation very successfully as they were well prepared, she said.

The nine alleged militants were killed this morning during a special drive of the joint forces in Kalyanpur, ending an overnight standoff that ensued with a raid to hunt down "militant den".

SWAT, Rapid Action Battalion (Rab), Detective Branch of police (DB) and Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) jointly carried out a one-hour operation "Storm 26" from 5:51am.