Eight Blasts at Mahabodhi temple Bodh Gaya

Five people have been injured in a series of blasts in Mahabodhi temple in Bihar's Bodh Gaya. Reports conform that nine minor explosions took place inside the temple complex.

 Series of blasts inside the Mahabodhi temple in Bihar's Bodhgaya 

Ministry of Home Affair has conformed that two live bomb has been recovered from the blast site. "Nine blasts in Mahabodhi temple. One live bomb has been recovered. Five people are injured," Ministry of Home Affair said.

Eight Blasts at Mahabodhi temple Bodh Gaya

"It is too early to say that Mahabodhi temple blasts is a terror attack," Ministry of Home Affair added.

Intelligence agencies had tipped off the state government about a possible threat to the Mahabodhi temple. The state government and district authorities had beefed up security measures following the warning.

The reports also suggest that the explosions were caused by crude bombs. Injured people have been rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment.

No damage has been reported to the temple structure. The bombs were kept in a bag at a particular point inside the temple complex.

Local administration officials have rushed to the spot. Forensic team, bomb disposal squad have also reached the spot. The temple has been evacuated and bomb disposal squad is checking the complex.

Meanwhile, NIA sources said that a team will be send to Bodh Gaya. "We will send a team to Bodh Gaya," NIA sources.

Bodh Gaya: 12:25 PM: Bihar government condemns the serial blasts in Bodh Gaya, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar says, "Temple will be reopened as soon as NIA complete its probe."

11:55 AM: Ministry of Home Affair has issued advisory to eight major cities - Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad and Pune. Advisory says special care to be taken in case of Buddhist shrines, places of worships, Tibetan settlement in light of clashes between Rohingya Muslims and Buddhist in Myanmar.

10:59 AM: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has reached Mahabodhi temple blasts site in Bodh Gaya.

10:47 AM: "The Mahabodhi temple structure has not been damaged. Monasteries and the statue of Buddha is intact as well. NIA team will investigate the incident," Home Secretary Anil Goswami said.

10:24 AM: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has strongly condemned the blasts in and around Mahabodhi temple at Bodh Gaya. "Our composite culture and traditions teach us respect for all religions and such attacks on religious places will never be tolerated," Manmohan Singh said.

10:10 AM: "Post blast analysis team of NSG being sent to Patna," Ministry of Home Affair said.

9:49 AM: Ministry of Home Affair has confirmed that the blasts at Mahabodhi temple in Bodh Gaya are terror attack.

9:25 AM: "We condemn the incident. When there was intelligent input then things should be taken seriously. Stringent action should be taken. This is a security lapse. If there was intelligence reports then why no action was taken by state government," Ravi Shankar Prasad said.

9:14 AM: Gaya Superintendent of Police (SP) says that two live bombs have been recovered from the blast site.

8:59 AM: "Cowardly attack on Mahabodhi Temple is a matter of great sadness for the people of India and the Buddhist community around the world," Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi tweets.

8:47 AM: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has reached left for Bodh Gaya.

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