Manama: Bahrain on Wednesday said that it was looking for 20 men reportedly involved in making and detonating bombs.

The suspects "have made and detonated homemade bombs and carried out criminal acts of sabotage that resulted in casualties among civilians and policemen and terrorised citizens and expatriates who were either at home or on the road, the head of the criminal investigation directorate said.

"Based on the statements given by in-custody defendants who were involved in these acts and on the evidence and information gathered during the investigation, and as the suspects did not respond to the summons to appear before the police and the public prosecution and the inability of the police to arrest them, the competent security agencies are still looking for them," he said, as reported by Bahrain TV.

The public prosecutor agreed to publish the suspects' names and pictures to help with their arrest.

People who have information that could lead to their arrest should contact the police or call a dedicated phone number, the official said.

He warned that legal action would be taken against those hiding or protecting the suspects.