Explosion in Mecca Masjid; Old City tensed

Hyderabad, May 18: Police fired shots in the air and resorted to lathicharge to disperse a frenzied mob in the old city, where a bomb exploded in Mecca Masjid near Charminar, killing at least five people and injuring several others.

Police said irate people pelted stones at police personnel and ransacked some shops in the old city. In a bid to control the situation, police opened fire in the air and used water cannons to disperse the mob from near the mosque.

State Home Minister K Jana Reddy was reviewing the law and order situation with the city police officials in the Secretariat. He would visit the spot along with other Ministers this evening to ascertain the situation.

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

Helpline numbers: 040-24600121; 040-24600146

UNI