Amassive terror plot involving serial blasts at Mahabodhi temple in Bodh Gaya was foiled after security agencies recovered two cane bombs planted at the temple premises.
The first bomb was planted at the gate number 4 of the temple while another was planted outside the Mahabodhi Society of India’s office.
A National Investigation Agency (NIA) team from Delhi has reached Bodh Gaya to conduct investigations.
Bihar: Bomb-squad conducts routine inspection at Mahabodhi temple complex at Bodh Gaya after two bombs were found there yesterday. pic.twitter.com/22dbUi4EC6
— ANI (@ANI) January 20, 2018
What sent security agencies into a tizzy following the recovery of explosives was the presence of spiritual leader the Dalai Lama at the holy town.
The Dalai has been at Bodh Gaya for the last few weeks for a spiritual teaching session. Thousands of Buddhists monks and devotees are present in the town for his sessions.
“Two cane bombs have been recovered from outside the temple premises and we are scanning through CCTV footage to find out who planted them at the temple,” said Nayyar Hasnain Khan, Zonal IG of Magadh Range.
The bomb at gate number 4 was first detected by Upendra Kumar Rai, a commando with the Bihar Military police at around 7 pm on Friday.
I was on duty from 4 pm to 7 pm at the area near gate number 4, which is also the emergency gate, when I found a suspicious looking bag. I immediately informed the temple management committee and took the bomb to a nearby police station
After he found a suspicious bag at the gate, he informed his seniors and temple committee members who swung into action. After it was scanned, a cane bomb was found inside.
“I was on duty from 4 pm to 7 pm at the area near gate number 4, which is also the emergency gate, when I found a suspicious looking bag. I immediately informed the temple management committee and took the bomb to a nearby police station,” said Upendra Kumar Rai, commando with Bihar Military Police.
Soon paramilitary forces, which included CRPF, CISF and SSB personnel, cordoned off the temple premises and searched the area when the second bomb was which was planted about 50 metres from the Dalai Lama’s monastery.
Thereafter the security agencies took the bombs to an open area at Falgu river.
On Saturday, the special COBRA team of CRPF battalion 205 reached Bodh Gaya from Barwadih in Jharkhand. The COBRA team is likely to diffuse the bombs on Sunday.
Speaking to media persons, Hasnain did not rule out possible involvement of terror outfits from China in a likely plot to eliminate the Dalai Lama.
“We are conducting the investigations from all possible angles,” said the Magadh Zone IG.
The Police are also investigating the case from the angle that the explosives may have been planted by members of the Rohingya community in Myanmar to avenge the atrocities against them.
Terror outfit Indian Mujahideen had carried out 9 serial blasts at the same site where five persons including two Buddhist monks were injured.
India Today
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