RANAGHAT, India, March 14 (UPI) -- An elderly nun was gang raped by up to 12 armed men in a convent school in India's West Bengal area, police said.
Authorities said the men ransacked the school and vandalized the chapel in Ranaghat early on Saturday before attacking the 75-year-old nun. She was taken to a local hospital, where she underwent surgery and is in stable condition. It is unclear exactly how many men were involved in the attack. Mamata Banerjee, chief minister of West Bengal, ordered a criminal investigation.
"We strongly condemn the incident that took place at the Ranaghat Convent," she said on Twitter. "CID [Criminal Investigation Division] will be examining all aspects to this horrific crime. Swift, strongest action to be taken."
Church officials said the assailants entered the Convent of Jesus and Mary School between 1 a.m. and 4 a.m. Saturday and "violently assaulted and raped the ailing 75-year-old nun."
Church officials said the men destroyed the church tabernacle and made off with sacred church vessels.
"Earlier they had disconnected two of the three telephone lines, indicating the planning that had gone into the attack and robbery. Out of the 12 CCTVs, only four were found to be functioning," church officials said.
The rape comes after the country grapples with a growing number of attacks against women.
