Buddha rock carving in Pakistan damaged

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, Oct. 12 (UPI) -- An ancient 23-foot high Buddha rock carving in northwest Pakistan was damaged by Islamist radicals who tried to destroy it, reports said.

The rock carving is believed to date back to the seventh century, Britain’s Telegraph reported.

The Monday incident, which damaged the upper part of the image located in the Swat district, recalled the Taliban destruction of Bamiyan Buddhas six years ago in Afghanistan.

The BBC quoted eyewitness Shahid Khan as saying the image -- carved into a 130-foot high rock -- suffered only slight damage because it is situated on a steep ridge.

Local archaeologist Pervaiz Shaheen told the BBC the Buddha statue was considered the largest in Asia after the Bamiyan Buddhas.

Pakistani troops have been fighting to contain rising radical violence in the region.