JOIN USThe string of bombings at Bihar's Mahabodhi temple in Bodh Gaya city seems "like a terror attack", Minister of State for Home Affairs R.P.N. Singh said here Sunday.
"It does seem like a terror attack but we cannot give any details till the investigation is done. No (terrorist) outfit has claimed responsibility for the attacks," Singh told a news channel here.
According to the home ministry, the blasts took place in quick succession between 5.30 a.m. and 6 a.m. in the temple complex and near the Bodhi tree, but there was no damage to the temple or the Bodhi tree.
"Till the investigations are over, we would not like to make any statement. If there were any shortcomings in following up IB (Intelligence Bureau) alerts, it will be looked into as a part of the investigation," Singh added.
Intelligence agencies had last month warned the district authorities about a security threat to the temple.
Last year, the security of the Mahabodhi temple was handed over to the Special Task Force (STF) of Bihar Police.
The temple at Bodh Gaya was built at the spot where the Buddha attained enlightenment over 2,500 years ago. It was declared a Unesco World Heritage Site in 2002.