Bamiyan Buddha-like sculptures discovered in Ladakh

JAMMU - Ancient rock-cut sculptures of the Buddha, resembling the Bamiyan Buddhas of Afghanistan, have been discovered in the Zanskar area in Ladakh region.

The discovery of the 1,400-year-old sculptures was made by the archives, archaeology and museums department of Jammu and Kashmir, an official said Sunday.

The Bamiyan Buddhas were destroyed by the Taliban.

The discovery has delighted archaeologists who believe the site in Kargil district could prove a tourist attraction.

The discovery is being publicised to get tourists, especially from Japan and Taiwan to the area. Kargil is 220 km north of Srinagar.

Zanskar is a Buddhist dominated region in the district of Kargil.