Blast rips through Ajmer Dargah

Rajasthan, Oct 11: 2 dead and seven were injured as a blast ripped through sufi shrine of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti in Ajmer today. Eveaning prayers were going on and people were preparing to break the fast when the blast occured at 6:20 pm.

At least 5000 people were packed into the corridors of the Dargah.

According to sources, blast material was kept under the tiffin bock. The blast pattern seemed similar to Hyderabad blasts. The area has been cordoned off by the police.

The injured have been rushed to hospital. After the blast, a crowd of devotees attacked policemen and seven jawans were injured.

Meanwhile, the police officials in Rajasthan have convened a high level emergency meeting.

A high alert has also been sounded in Delhi.

An eye-witness told that one person died on the spot and another succumbed while being rushed to the hospital.

Rajasthan Police ADGP Kanhiya Lal said markets surrounding the area have been shut and law and order has been restored. "We will see to it that everything is back to normal by tomorrow and that people can return to pray," he said.

President of All India Muslim Personal Law Board, Kamal Farooqi, condemned the attack. "This is a clear cut design and the idea is to disturb peace. This is why the attackers choose soft spots like religious. Ajmer Sharif is not only revered by Muslims but people from all religion. So this is not an attack on a mosque or temple, it's an attack on India's religious harmony," he said.

Ajmer dargah is normally a very well visited place by people of all communities. But there was even a greater rush on Thursday owing to Ramazan.

UNI