Bodh Gaya: Thirteen bombs were planted for explosion in and around Mahabodhi Temple, out of which only 10 could explode while three were disposed by Police Squads. The incident occurred on the wee hours of July 7, Sunday.
According to Investigation team, which reached the spot same day, some splinters were put in the ammonium nitrate, sulphur and pottasium emulsion for causing damage in various locations in the temple complex.
The explosives were packed and kept in small cylinders which are used for commercial purposes.The low-intensity bombs worked like improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and were trigerred through analog clock timers.
First bomb blasted at 5.30 A.M. during the prayer inside the Sanctum sanctorum of the temple.
Approximately after 2 minutes bomb blasted at the eastern side of temple, at Animesh Lochna Temple. Wooden book shelves of the scriptures over there got damaged by this blast.
Third bomb triggered, in the south of temple complex, at the Butter lamp house. This blast damaged the Mobile Clinic Ambulance of BTMC which was parked in that premise.
The fourth bomb exploded at the northern side of temple inside a small shrine in the Mahabodhi vihara. The Buddha image inside the shrine was in same condition after the blast.
Additionally, five bomb blasts occurred in Gaya town outside. The low intensity bomb ruptured at 80 Ft Buddha statue. Three bombs exploded at Tibetian Monastery. One bomb blasted at a bus parked at Sujata bye pass.
As per preliminary reports submitted by Intelligence to Ministry of Home Minister, the suspected perpetrator is Anwar Hussain Mullick of Indian Mujhahideen. The reason behind attack is not clear, but is suspected to be either US Invasion of Iraq or attacks on Muslims in Myanmar.