5 killed, more than 20 injured in Masjid blast

Hyderabad, May 18: Five people were killed and more than 20 others injured in a bomb explosion at the historic Mecca Masjid, near Charminar in the old city area, during the Friday prayers today.

Officials in the bomb disposal squad confirmed that ''anti-social elements'' exploded the bomb, kept in a tiffin box, through a cell-phone.

After conducting a preliminary investigation, the squad said the bomb was planted in the tiffin box. During a search operation on the premises, it also recovered two live bombs which were defused immediately.

Meanwhile, four persons were injured when police opened fire in the air and resorted to lathicharge to disperse an irate mob in the area.

The injured were admitted to the Osmania General Hospital.

Police said the irate mob pelted stones at the police personnel and ransacked some shops in the old city.

Andhra Pradesh Home Minister K Jana Reddy reviewed the law and order situation with the city police officials in the Secretariat.

Personnel from paramilitary forces, Rapid Action Force (RPF) and city police were deployed in the area.

Around 10,000 people had gathered to offer Friday prayers at the mosque in the afternoon when the blast occurred.

Andhra Pradesh Director General of Police M A Basith confirmed that five people were killed and 20 others injured in the blast. Mr Basith, who visited the scene of the blast, told newspersons that four people died on the spot while one succumbed to injuries at the Osmania hospital. He said the condition of three of the injured was stated to be critical.

He said miscreants used explosive material used for grenades and triggered the blast with a cellphone.

UNI