The remains of one the famous statues of Lord Buddha in Bamiyan has been damaged in a blast. The original statue was ruined by Taliban seven years ago. Chief of Information and culture of Bamiyan, Najibullah Harar, said on Saturday, May 3, 2008, that troops led by NATO demolished two unexploded explosives near the smaller statue causing cracks on its side walls. The statue is 34.5 meter high.

 

The statues were carved almost 400 yards from each other and are almost 1500 year old. The Taliban destroyed the statues in March 2001 and it was widely criticized all over the world. UNESCO's cultural program chief Brendan J. Cassar said that it is still unclear whether the blast has caused any kind of damage but at the same time he has expressed his concerns for the same.

 

There are differences on how far the explosions have taken place from the statue. UN said that the explosives were used in a controlled manner and about 100 yards away from the statue. Harar says that the explosion has taken place only five to ten yards away from the statue. Nato has claimed that the explosion took place more than half a mile from the statue. The UN is however probing into the matter. It is to be noted that controlled explosions are barred near World heritage sites.