Bodh Gaya: At least eight explosions rocked Mahabodhi temple complex in Bodh Gaya in Bihar on Sunday morning, injuring at least five people, of which one is critical. The Union Home Ministry confirmed that it was a terror attack.
Reports further said that the local police had carried out a security review at the temple following inputs from the Intelligence Bureau.
Three of the blasts took place outside Turgey Monastery, which is the seat of the 17th Karmapa.
Speaking about the explosions, Minister of State for Home Affairs RPN Singh termed it as an “extremely unfortunate incident, confirming that teams of NIA and NSG had been rushed.
He, however, refrained to comment on reports of a possible security breach, and also denied confirming if the attack had any links with the recent unrest in Myanmar.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh strongly condemned the blasts, saying, "Our composite culture and traditions teach us respect for all religions and such attacks on religious places will never be tolerated."
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has rushed a team to the blast site to monitor the situation.
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has reached the spot.
The Mahabodhi temple in Bodh Gaya is a very important pilgrimage centre for the Buddhists.
According to reports, intelligence inputs had been given to the state government about a possible threat to the Mahabodhi temple, following which the security was stepped up in the area.
The intelligence inputs had warned of a possible attack on Buddhists in India in the wake of developments in Myanmar.
The Mahabodhi Temple is frequented by Buddhist pilgrims from Sri Lanka, China and Japan and the whole of southeast Asia.
With PTI inputs - See more at: http://zeenews.india.com/news/nation/9-blasts-rock-mahabodhi-temple-in-bodh-gaya-five-injured_860498.html#sthash.Vv1U1z1d.2KEEBX2o.dpuf
