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Explosions Rock Buddhist Temple in India Explosions Rock Buddhist Temple in India
(about 2 hours later)
NEW DELHI — A series of explosions rocked one of Buddhism’s holiest sites on Sunday morning, an attack on the Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya in eastern India that officials quickly labeled terrorism. NEW DELHI — A series of explosions rocked one of Buddhism’s holiest sites in eastern India on Sunday morning, an attack that officials called an act of terrorism.
Two people were injured in the explosions, officials said, and initial reports suggested that the 12-acre temple complex suffered minimal damage. The soaring main temple, constructed in 5th or 6th century, is near the Bodhi Tree, where Lord Buddha is said to have attained enlightenment. Devotees visit the complex from around the world. Two people were injured in the explosions at the Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya, officials said, and initial reports suggested that the 12-acre temple complex suffered minimal damage. The soaring main temple, constructed in the fifth or sixth century, is near the Bodhi Tree, where Buddha is said to have attained enlightenment. Devotees visit the complex from around the world.
“There was some damage to the staircases near the Bodhi tree, and some window panes were broken,” Bhikshu Chalinda, the senior monk of the temple, said in a telephone interview from Bodh Gaya. “There was some damage to the staircases near the Bodhi tree, and some window panes were broken,” Bhikshu Chalinda, the senior monk at the temple, said in a telephone interview from Bodh Gaya.
In New Delhi, Home Secretary Anil Goswami characterized the explosions as a terror attack, though investigators had not announced any suspects or possible motives. Indian media reported that the Home Ministry has asked for additional security at Buddhist shrines and Tibetan settlements. The advisory cited rising tensions from the ethnic conflict in neighboring Myanmar between Buddhists and Rohingya Muslims. In New Delhi, Home Secretary Anil Goswami characterized the explosions as a terrorist attack, though investigators have not identified any suspects or possible motives. Indian media reported that the Home Ministry had asked for additional security at Buddhist shrines and Tibetan settlements. The advisory cited rising tensions related to the ethnic conflict in neighboring Myanmar between Buddhists and Rohingya Muslims.
Mr. Goswami told reporters that four explosions occurred inside the temple complex, three others shook a nearby monastery and an eighth exploded near a statue of Buddha. Two other bombs were defused, he said. Mr. Goswami told reporters that four explosions occurred inside the temple complex, three others shook a nearby monastery and one went off near a statue of Buddha. Two other bombs were defused, he said.
In the past, Indian security officials have cautioned that terror groups might be targeting the Mahabodhi Temple. Last October, the New Delhi police chief Neeraj Kumar said suspected terrorists had confessed to visiting the temple complex to plan a possible attack — information that alarmed the monks at the holy site. In the past, Indian security officials have cautioned that the Mahabodhi Temple might be a target for terrorist groups. Last October, the New Delhi police chief, Neeraj Kumar, said suspected terrorists had confessed to visiting the temple complex to plan a possible attack — information that alarmed the monks at the holy site.
“The security of the temple was tightened after that intelligence input last year,” temple’s senior monk said. “Some metal detectors and more cops and check points were put in place.” “The security of the temple was tightened after that intelligence input last year,” the temple’s senior monk said. “Some metal detectors and more cops and check points were put in place.”
On Sunday, Indian security agencies rushed investigators to Bodh Gaya, which is in the state of Bihar, as political leaders condemned the attack. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said that the country’s “composite culture and traditions teach us respect for all religions and such attacks on religious places will never be tolerated. On Sunday, Indian security agencies rushed investigators to Bodh Gaya, which is in the state of Bihar, as political leaders condemned the attack. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said that the country’s “composite culture and traditions teach us respect for all religions, and such attacks on religious places will never be tolerated.”