Bodhgaya:
Two people were injured in a series of blasts on Sunday inside the Mahabodhi temple in Bihar's Bodhgaya, a town 130 kilometre south of Patna. The first blast took place inside the temple at 5:30 am, followed by seven successive explosions in the next half hour. While four of the blasts, which were reportedly set off by timers, took place inside the temple, the others exploded at a monastery nearby. Another two live bombs were reportedly found near the temple, and defused.
Here are the 10 latest developments in the case:
Reports say all blasts were of low-intensity and there has been no damage to the temple shrine. "The holy bodhi tree is safe and there is no damage to it," Bihar police chief Abhayanand told AFP while confirming the blasts and injuries. (See pics)
Experts say the damage was limited because it is a lean tourist season and there were not too many people inside the temple during that time. The two injured, reportedly a Buddhist monk from Myanmar and a pilgrim, were rushed to a hospital.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) is probing the blast. An NIA team reached Bodhgaya on Sunday evening. The National Security Guard too will investigate the blasts.
The Home Ministry has said the blasts were a "terror attack." (Read) Sources said all states have been put on high alert; special alert has been issued for states with Buddhist population.
In October, the Special Cell of the Delhi Police had sent an intelligence input to Bihar's Director General of Police (DGP) and the Superintendent of Police in Gaya district about a possible strike on the Mahabodhi temple by terror organisation Indian Mujahideen.
The temple premises have been cordoned off. However, state police chief Abhayanand said evening prayers by the monks will be held as usual. Reports say security has been beefed up in and around other religious sites of the district.
The security of the temple was handled by the Special Task Force of the Bihar Police. However, sources said the police only guarded the perimeter of the temple's complex. The temple's trust was in charge of the security inside the compound.
A review of the security in and around the temple was done only earlier this week. A mock drill was also carried out at the temple by the district administration in the last week of June.
Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who rushed to Bodhgaya, has some tough questions to answer. Mr Kumar's recent allies in the state, the BJP, has attacked his Janata Dal (United ) government for "ignoring" intelligence alerts. (Read) Mr Kumar has called for an immediate review of the security arrangements.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh along and President Pranab Mukherjee and Chief Minister have strongly condemned the blasts. (Read)
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