Manama, March 3 (IANS) Security authorities in Bahrain arrested 116 suspected terrorist with Iranian links in an operation to combat terrorism and external interference in the country's internal affairs, according to a government statement on Saturday.

The individuals were arrested for wide range of terror crimes, including planning and executing terror attacks as well as manufacturing, storing and transporting explosive devices.

"Comprehensive investigations revealed that the suspected terrorists were members of a network formed and supported by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard (IRGC)," said the statement posted on the state-run Bahrain News Agency.

"The network was planning to target Bahraini officials, members of the security authorities and vital oil installations, with the objective of disturbing public security and harming the national economy.

The statement said the IRGC and its affiliates including the Asaib Ahl al-Haq (League of Righteous People) in Iraq and Hezbollah in Lebanon "were directly responsible for the intensification of terrorist activity in Bahrain by providing material, recruitment and training support to terrorists."

"The investigations revealed that terror cells within the network were operating under the supervision of IRGC-affiliated groups and fugitive terrorist leaders in Iran, Iraq and Lebanon," it added.

The investigation also revealed that 48 of the 116 suspected terrorists arrested had received training at IRGC facilities in Iran and their affiliated locations in Iraq and Lebanon.

Security agencies as part of the counter terrorism operations discovered a number of sites used to manufacture and store explosives intended to be used for terrorist attacks.

Items seized during raids include high grad explosives, chemicals used to manufacture bombs, kalashnikovs, pistols, ammunition and detonators.