NIA to probe Bodh Gaya blasts, says Shinde

Shinde and Sonia Gandhi today visited the site to take stock of the situation

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) will probe the serial blasts that rocked Bodh Gaya's Mahabodhi temple in Bihar, Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde said on Wednesday.

"The Bihar government wrote to the central government on Tuesday that investigation should be handled by the NIA. We have accepted it and since Tuesday night, NIA has beeen investigating the case," Shinde told reporters.

Shinde, along with Congress chairperson Sonia Gandhi, visited the Mahabodhi temple to take stock of the situation.

"Such blasts are a cause of concern and we have immediately sent NIA and NSG (National Security Guards) and they are working with local police," he said.

Shinde said that of the 13 bombs placed at the site Sunday morning, 10 went off between 5 am and 6 am.

"It seems small gas cylinders weighing two to three kg were used, and they contained nails and ball bearings. Initial investigation shows that the bombs were placed in the night and three or four people could be involved," he said.