Bangladesh ? Tanks rolled through the Bangladeshi capital in a show of force that finally persuaded mutinous border guards to lay down their arms, ending a two-day revolt that threatened to spread across the impoverished South Asian nation.

At least 20 people were killed in the insurrection after nearly 2,000 guards opened fire on their senior officers and seized their headquarters in the capital Wednesday to protest poor pay and conditions.

The mutinous guards had agreed to surrender after the government promised Wednesday to give them amnesty and agreed to look into their demands.

But as the process stalled and the revolt appeared to be spreading to other areas Thursday, recently elected Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina warned the rebels she would “do whatever is needed to end the violence.”

Apparently intimidated, the guards hoisted a white flag on Thursday afternoon and resumed laying down arms.