'Terror attack in Bodh Gaya a cowardly act': Hamid Ansari

Vice President Mohammed Hamid Ansari has strongly condemned the reprehensible terrorist bomb attacks in the Mahabodhi temple complex in Bodh Gaya, and said this senseless and cowardly act is all the more deplorable as it targeted a place of worship and the devotees there.

"I strongly condemn the reprehensible terrorist bomb attacks in the Mahabodhi temple complex in Bodh Gaya earlier today. This senseless and cowardly act is all the more deplorable as it targeted a place of worship and the devotees there," said Vice President Ansari.

"In such difficult times, Lord Buddha's eternal message of universal peace, non-violence and compassion reminds us that violence has no place in civilized societies. The nation should remain united in its firm resolve to fight and defeat terrorism in all its forms and manifestations," he added.

Vice President Ansari also conveyed his profound sympathies to the injured and wished them speedy recovery.

Eight serial explosions rocked the internationally renowned temple town of Bodhgaya, including four in the Mahabodhi temple complex, injuring two monks in the blasts suspected to be engineered by some terrorist organisation.

While four blasts took place inside the Mahabodhi temple complex, three occurred in Karmapa monastery, one each near the 80-ft Buddha statue and at the bus stand near bypass. The blasts took place between 5:30 to 5:58 a.m.

The injured have been admitted to the Magadh Hospital for treatment.

Teams from the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and National Security Guards (NSG) are presently at the blasts site.

An alert has been issued in the entire state with additional security forces being deployed at all religious places.