New Delhi: Around 500 people were evacuated safely from Swaminarayan Temple complex in Gandhinagar where terrorists opened fire on devotees on September 24 evening, Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani said on September 24 night.

Quoting Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi and priests inside the temple complex who spoke to him on phone, Advani told reporters that Gujarat police and CRPF personnel, who have surrounded the complex, had evacuated about 500 people from there.



Stating that between two and four gunmen were "still inside" the temple, he said at least 25-30 people were holed up inside, but clarified that this figure could not be immediately confirmed.

When some of them tried to come out of the complex, the terrorists fired on them from the rooftop forcing them to return, he said adding this also showed that the gunmen were on top of the terrace.

PTI