At least 23 worshippers are killed after gunmen storm a crowded Hindu temple

GUNMEN stormed a crowded Hindu temple and opened fire, killing at least 23 worshippers yesterday in a western Indian state where hundreds of people were killed in religious rioting this year.

With 40 people injured and 150 worshippers still inside the temple, more than 200 commandos swarmed into the sprawling temple complex, in the city of Gandhinagar in Gujarat state, setting up positions around the main temple, said RB Brahmabhatt, the city's acting police chief.

Deputy Prime Minister Lal Advani, described the shooting as a suicide attack. He said the attackers, armed with hand grenades and AK-47 rifles, had taken up positions on the roof of a building inside the complex.