Terrorists in temple, Gujarat on edge

For a state which has seen deep communal divisions in the wake of Godhra and the carnage that followed, exacerbated by Chief Minister Narendra Modi’s gaurav yatra diatribe against Muslims, tonight was virtually sleepless.

This time, however, Modi was more cautious. Appealing to people to be patient, he said: ‘‘Having failed in Kashmir, it is the handiwork of the same elements as part of their conspiracy to disturb peace in Gujarat. Have faith in the strength of the Government and co-operate with the Government in handling the situation. The strength of the Government lies in its people’s support.’’

For tonight, however, all eyes were on the temple complex as the NSG team flown in from Delhi entered through Gates 1 and 3. Their task isn’t easy: the number of terrorists is still not known. Two of them entered the temple around 4.55 pm while three others were said to have been seen by some of the victims.

Police sources said an estimated 125 visitors are still inside the temple, including 65 in one exhibition hall, including a CBI officer.

They had locked themselves in and no one is said to have been taken hostage.

Before launching their strike, the commandoes studied the temple model. Helping them are personnel from BSF, Rapid Action Force, Anti-Terrorist Squad and the state police.

Although the temple is brightly lit, vehicles fitted with generators moved in by 12.30 am to provide back-up light for the commandoes.

Short bursts of gun fire were heard minutes after the first batch of NSG zeroed in from Gate No 1.

The terrorists were last seen on the rooftop of Exhibition Hall No 2.

The moment NSG personnel entered the temple, carrying two sniffer dogs, anti-mine gadgets and bomb-disposal squads, hundreds of people gathered outside Gate No 1 shouting anti-Pakistan slogans.

While the commandos formed the first ring, the outer rings had RAF and BSF.

More than 500 security personnel had already cornered off the temple. Additional Secretary (home) K Nityanand was camping at the spot.

The siege began after two men entered Gate No 3, within 500 m of the Chief Minister’s bungalow and started firing when a security guard asked them to stop.

The two terrorists carrying automatic weapons went near Exhibition Hall No 1 and lobbed a handgrenade. Hundreds of visitors were spread over different exhibition halls and the campus when the terrorists entered.

Gandhinagar Superintendent of Police (SP) S Brahmbhatt said the attackers apparently arrived in an Ambassador and approached Gate No. 3 where one Manubhai Patel was volunteering as a guard.

Patel told police that as soon they approached the gate, they started firing and ran into the exhibition hall. They also lobbed a bomb in the hall.

At least 15 persons are reported to have died on the spot. The terrorists then made their way to a Ferris wheel and opened fire again.

Eyewitnesses said they saw over 20 bodies being taken out of the complex. At least 30 of the injured were moved to Civil Hospitals in Gandhinagar and Ahmedabad.

Within half an hour, Gandhinagar Police and State police ommandoes reached along with paramilitary personnel.

The gunmen then appeared to have gone into hiding after the first spell of firing, as no sound was heard. After a two-hour-long silence, the gunmen again opened fire on security forces.