Temple Attack By Terrorists Causing Tension In Gujarat

A group of terrorists attacked and laid siege to the Akshardham Temple in Gandhinagar, Gujarat at around 1700 hours on 24th September 2002, causing concern and tension around the country, especially in the state of Gujarat. The miscreants entered the temple and threw grenades and started firing indiscriminately at the devotees gathered around the temple complex. Thirty people were reported killed and more than 100 injured.

The attack, which stretched through the night, left 50 devotees trapped inside the temple complex. The police and paramilitary forces surrounded the complex and led more than 300 people to safety from the complex.

The siege, which was soundly condemned by leaders of the US, UK and Pakistan as well as leaders of all national parties and religious groups in India came to an end in the early hours of today when a group of security commandos stormed the temple and killed the terrorists who were hidden inside the temple. The devotees trapped inside the temple were brought out safely by the commandos.

A till-now unknown group is said to be responsible for the attack. The two terrorists involved were reported to be “well-armed and well-trained”.

Following the incident, various parties have called for ‘Bandhs’ (protest strike or lock down) around the country condemning these attacks. “The situation is tense in Gujarat”, says Percy Patrick, World Vision Operations Manager for Gujarat.

Latest agency reports say that army has been deployed around the state of Gujarat to forestall any communal violence.

World Vision works through the Haripura ADP (funded by WV Taiwan) situated in Ahmedabad around 20 kms from Gandhinagar. “All our communities and staff are safe”, says Percy Patrick who is also monitoring the situation closely.

Gujarat was rocked by a series of violent Hindu-Muslim clashes in March earlier this year. World Vision provided relief to 1031 families displaced to 3 camps by these incidents.

World Vision works in Baroda ADP (funded by WV US), Ahwa ADP (funded by WV India), Vyara ADP (funded by WV US) and Dahod ADP (funded by New Zealand) apart from Haripura ADP. World Vision also works in the earthquake affected region of Kutch through the Gujarat Earthquake Relief Programme located in Gandhidam.
- by Jayanth Vincent