Blast in Hyderabad mosque kills 5

Five people were and 32 others injured when a powerful bomb exploded during Friday prayers at the historic Mecca mosque in the Charminar area of Hyderabad.

Two live bombs were also detected from the spot soon after the explosions and were defused.

Reports suggest the blast was caused by a crude bomb, perhaps activated by a cell phone, which exploded when thousands of people were gathered in the mosque for prayers.

A central forensic team has been sent to Hyderabad to help determine the cause of the blast.

The injured have been rushed to Osmania and other hospitals by the worshippers in whatever modes of transport they could arrange.

Following the blast, Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore have been put on high alert.

Angry outburst

The explosion created such a panic that those gathered for the prayers started running towards the exit gate of the mosque, said to be over 400-years-old and considered sacred by Muslims.

According to the police, the motive for the blast, which was caused by unsophisticated device, is still not clear.

A large posse of police personnel, who arrived on the scene, faced an angry crowd.

They pelted stones at the shops in the vicinity and the police, who resorted to lathicharge to disperse the crowd.

The crowds have cleared now and all shops have been are shut, the area looks like a fortess.

Close watch

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Rajshekhar Reddy, who is in Delhi, spoke to the DGP Basith and other senior state government officials to take stock of the situation.

Addressing the media, Reddy said the police was trying to bring the situation back to normal.

''When AP is going on forward march of progress, such incidents will hinder progress,'' he added.

Blaming anti-social elements, he pointed out that the blast was an intentional sabotage of the peace of the state. He has announced an ex-gratia of Rs five lakh for those killed and Rs 25,000 for those injured.

Home Minister Jana Reddy said that police reinforcements are being sent to the area and the situation will be brought under control.

The Centre is also keeping a close watch on the situation in Hyderabad.

The Union Home Ministry is in constant touch with the state government officials to monitor the situation.

(Source: NDTV)