Iconic Buddha in Swat valley restored after nine years when Taliban defaced it
November 08, 2016  11:57
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An iconic seventh-century defaced Buddha at Jahan Abad, Swat, at last, got its face back after a nine-year-long wait following a scientific restoration process conducted by Italian archaeologists, reports the Dawn.


The 7th century Buddha seated in a meditative posture which is considered one of the largest rock sculptures in South Asia was attacked in September 2007 by the Taliban, who blew up half the statue's face by drilling holes into the face and shoulders and inserting explosives.


The explosives in the face, when detonated, destroyed half its face, but the explosives in the statue's shoulders failed to detonate.


The defacement of the Buddha sparked worldwide anger and concern among the Buddhist community, historians and archaeologists.


Image: The Italian Archaeological Mission in Pakistan restores the statue to its original form after six scientific missions. Pic courtesy: The Dawn.
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