by Shafiq Alam DHAKA (AFP) --
A mutiny by thousands of Bangladesh's border security guards spread outside the capital Dhaka Thursday, as Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina urged the rebels to surrender immediately.
In a televised address to the nation, Sheikh Hasina, who took office less than two months ago, warned the paramilitary Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) guards not to remain on a "suicidal route" with an uprising that officials say may have already cost 50 lives.
"Just give up your arms and return to barracks right now," she said.
"Don't take the suicidal route. Don't compel me to take tough action. We are aware of your problems. Please help us."
Her message came as the mutiny, which began early Wednesday at the Rifles headquarters in Dhaka, spread to a number of other BDR posts outside the capital.
Police chiefs across the poor and chronically unstable South Asian nation said rank-and-file BDR members had revolted in 15 border districts -- roughly a quarter of the zones where border security forces are stationed.
"They are firing indiscriminately," said one of the police chiefs, from the northeastern Moulivibazar district. "Their commanding officer told me that he has fled the camp."
Another local police chief, Kamrul Ahsan from the southeastern town of Satkania, reported "heavy fighting" at a BDR training centre.
In an effort to stem any further spread, the Bangladesh telecoms authority ordered all the country's six mobile operators to shut down their networks.
In Dhaka, the initial mutiny had appeared to be petering out following the earlier offer of an amnesty, but fresh, heavy gunfire erupted on Thursday and sent thousands of people around the BDR headquarters running for cover.
However, the mutineers set free more than a dozen women held hostage since their revolt began.
Officials said tensions in the BDR had been simmering for months but exploded into violence when senior officers dismissed appeals for more pay, subsidised food and holidays.
Sheikh Hasina had made her amnesty offer on Wednesday and also promised to address complaints over low pay and working conditions.
Deputy law minister Kamrul Islam said that the situation remained tense because thousands of armed troops were still believed to be inside the BDR headquarters.
"The BDR troops began surrendering arms in our presence. But there are some 15,000 of them -- around 12,000 could have weapons," Islam told AFP. He added that at least 50 officers held hostage were feared dead.
So far, a total of 11 people have already been confirmed dead and dozens more wounded.
A rebel guard said he doubted a surrender would take place smoothly.
"They told us to surrender arms. But we have reports that army troops have attacked our camps outside the capital. We want peace but not bloodshed," the guard told AFP.
The unrest is the first major crisis to face Sheikh Hasina since she took office after a landslide election victory that ended two years of army-backed rule.
"Keep the peace and stay patient for the sake of the nation. I urge everyone to be patient. I seek cooperation of all," she said in her televised address.
The stand-off highlights the frustrations felt by many in the impoverished nation, which suffers from high food prices, a slowing economy and rampant corruption within the ruling classes.
Bangladesh has had a history of political violence, coups and counter-coups since winning independence from Pakistan in 1971.
The country was run by military dictator Hussain Mohammad Ershad from 1982 to 1990, before democracy was restored in 1991.
In January 2007 the army again stepped in, cancelled elections and declared a state of emergency following months of political unrest.
Democracy was only restored with elections last December.
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