12 killed, 60 injured in Mecca Masjid blasts

Hyderabad, May 18 (UNI) Twelve persons were killed, four of them on the spot, and more than 60 others including children injured, when a bomb blast trigged by remote control occurred at the historic Mecca Masjid, near Charminar, during Friday prayers today.

Four people died on the spot when the bomb, reportedly a 'crude one', exploded in the Masjid and others succumbed to their injuries at various hospitals, where they were admitted.

The death toll could increase as the condition of many of those hospitalised were critical.

The casualities could have been unprecedented, had the other three unexploded bombs, which the squad detected and defused in the post blast search of the 400 years old mosque, also gone off.

The government had announced compensation of Rs five lakh to the kin of the deceased, and Rs 20,000 for each injured.

Special police teams with intelligence sleuths launched a probe to identify the group behind the blast. Police had recovered the remote used to trigger the blast and had sent it for detailed examination.

However, none had so far claimed responsibility for the blast.

Forensic experts were trying to assess the explosives used in the blast and those in the unexploded bombs, which were difused. They were likely to be assisted with the special forensic team from the Centre.

However, security experts were pondering how the bombs were carried and planted inside when entry at Mecca Masjid was under intense surveillance, more so on a Friday.

Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy, who returned to the city from New Delhi, went straight to attend a high level meeting with the police and intelligence officials to review the situation. He visited the hospitals where the injured were admitted and met their family members.

Even as security was beefed up at all religious and strategic locations, a red alert had also been sounded over the state.

A 24-hour-bandh of the twin cities had been called by the MIM to protest against the blast and to press the government to immediately nab the culprits.

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