Bangladesh's Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has vowed to bring an end to a wave of targeted killings of minorities and secular citizens in the country, BBC News reports.

She said her government would do whatever it took to stop the attacks.

Her comments came a day after police launched a concerted drive against Islamists, arresting more than 3,000 people.

The opposition has accused the government of using the operation to target political opponents.

"It may take time, but God willing, we will be able to bring [the perpetrators] under control," Ms Hasina said at a meeting of her ruling Awami League party on Saturday, June 11.

"Where will the criminals hide? Each and every killer will be brought to book," she added.

Police launched the week-long campaign on Friday, saying they were focused on arresting Islamist militants.

However, critics say many ordinary criminals were among those held.

Meanwhile, Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, the leader of the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party said that "hundreds of opposition activists have been arrested in the police drive".

About 40 people, including secular bloggers, academics, gay rights activists and members of religious minorities, have been killed in attacks in the past few years.

On Friday, a Hindu monastery worker was hacked to death in Pabna district.

In the past week, a Hindu priest, a Christian grocer and the wife of an anti-terror police officer were all killed in attacks by suspected Islamist militants.

Analysts say the killing of a police officer's wife last Sunday may have triggered the crackdown.