On Thursday the Bangladesh army said it had foiled a conspiracy against Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government.
“Anyone who attempts to overthrow the democratic system will be traced… none will be spared,” minister Syed Ashraful Islam told reporters.
Bangladesh has a history of military governments. The army ran the country for 15 years until 1990.
Sheikh Hasina took over power from a military-backed caretaker government in early 2009. Officials say she has since faced threats from Islamists and other radical groups.
“Action will be taken against them as per army regulations,” said Mr Islam, who is also a senior leader of the ruling Awami League party.
“We might have differences of opinion, but there is no difference of opinion in the case of democracy. So it is the duty of all to protect the democratic system.”
Military officials said that the officers planning the coup were in active military service and had “extreme religious views”.
A group of up to 16 hard-line Islamist military officers – including at least two retired officers – were involved.