Friday, May 18, 2007

TNT, RDX used in mosque blast, terror link possible


The Andhra Pradesh government late on Friday said TNT and RDX were used in the bomb blast that ripped through the Mecca Masjid near the historic Charminar monument in Hyderabad.

"We have information that RDX was used in the explosion. We are confident of identifying the culprits very soon," Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy said after visiting the injured at Osmania General Hospital.

The CM, who rushed here from New Delhi within hours of the blast, said the explosive material used in the attack was very sophisticated and a thorough probe was on to identify the people behind the blast. He said the police were also trying to find out from where the material was procured.

Asked about possible terrorists involvement in the attack, Reddy did not rule out the possibility.

He said the explosion was the handiwork of anti-social elements who were bent upon disturbing peace and communal harmony. "The police have defused two more live bombs thereby averting a major tragedy," the Chief Minister said.

Home Minister K Jana Reddy said the police has been put on high alert across the state to prevent any untoward incident.

The Chief Minister also directed the Director General of Police and the City Police Commissioner to deploy as many forces as required in the areas to bring back normalcy and confidence among the people.

Reddy said he would ask the Prime Minister's Office to send Rapid Action Forces to be deployed if necessary in the troubled areas.

Eight people were killed, four of them on the spot, when a powerful bomb ripped through the historic Mecca Masjid as hundreds of faithful had gathered there to offer Friday prayers.

"I was offering prayer when I heard a huge explosion. Initially, I thought it could be a cracker, but soon I realised it was a bomb blast," Rasheed Ahmed, a tourist from Maharashtra, said.

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