Bombs found near Mahabodhi Temple amid Dalai Lama visit

Patna, January 20

Two crude bombs were found near the Mahabodhi Temple in Bihar’s Bodh Gaya district, where Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama is camping, prompting authorities to heighten security. An NIA team was at the site on Saturday to probe the incident.

The bombs were found on Friday night, the police said. According to district officials, a low-intensity bomb blast had taken place near the site where the two crude bombs were recovered.

The police denied media reports that claimed the bombs were found inside the revered Mahabodhi Temple. “The explosives were found in the vicinity of the Kalachakra ground near the temple and kept far away from the temple,” said NH Khan, Patna zone IGP.

A senior police officer said three suspected persons were found roaming in Bodh Gaya. The police would identify them soon, he said.

“A team of the NIA reached Bodh Gaya and visited the temple to probe the incident,” a district police official said.

“We have given all information to the NIA team. If it requires more information, the state police will provide it,” a senior police officer camping in Bodh Gaya said.

Security of foreign monasteries and other sensitive places has also been beefed up and additional security forces deployed. Thousands of the Dalai Lama’s devotees, including Hollywood star Richard Gere, and hundreds of foreign tourists have been staying in Bodh Gaya, where it is peak tourist season now. 

In 2013, a series of bombs had exploded at Bodh Gaya’s Mahabodhi Temple in which two Buddhist monks were injured. — IANS

NIA Begins probe 

• The Bodh Gaya district police said a team of the NIA visited the temple to probe the incident
• A forensic team from Patna was also in Bodh Gaya to investigate the matter
•  The police said they were on a lookout for three suspected who were found roaming in Bodh Gaya