16 killed, over 100 injured as two blasts rock Hyderabad

Hyderabad, Feb 21: Serial bomb blasts rocked Hyderabad Thursday evening, killing 16 people and injuring over 100, eye witnesses said. Police have confirmed only seven deaths.

The two near-simultaneous explosions occurred in Dilsukhnagar area in the city when it was crowded with people returning home. According to some eye witness accounts, three explosions were heard.

Dilsukhnagar is a busy commercial area to the south of Musi River in the southern part of city, about 15 km from the heart of the city.

Eye witnesses said they heard two loud explosions within a couple of minutes. Police confirmed the bomb explosions but there was no official word on the number of explosions

The first blast occurred around 7 pm near a tiffin centre opposite Venkatadri theatre and the second near Konark theatre. Both the theatres are about 500 meters from each other.

According to preliminary reports, the bombs were planted on bicycles.

Ambulances and police vehicles rushed to the area. The injured were shifted to Yashoda Hospital at Malakpet and to the government-run Osmania Hospital. Gory pictures of the victims without limbs were seen. Others with bleeding injuries were shifted to ambulances.

The area was cordoned off as senior police officials and the sleuths from National Investigation Agency (NIA) and Intelligence Bureau rushed to the scene.

Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy, Home Minister Sabita Indra Reddy, Director General of Police V. Dinesh Reddy and others visited the scene. The blasts sent panic in the area, close to Hyderabad-Vijayawada highway. Police sounded high alert across the city and launched search in many public places.

IANS