September 13, 2007	Thursday	Sha'aban 30, 1428

MINGORA, Sept 12: Militants who tried to blow up rocks engraved with Buddha’s images at the archaeological site of Bhutgarh Jehanabad on Tuesday had warned people living in the area to vacate their homes because they were going to destroy the ‘un-Islamic idol’.

Explosives detonated by the militants partially damaged the upper portion of the rock.

Curator Swat museum Mr Aqleem Khan expressed relief that the site dating back to the Gandhara era was unharmed. Some locals fear that other archaeological sites in the valley, particularly the one at Gul Kathada with several statues and stupas, also faces threats.