Promised to return home before blast, merchant meets death

Hyderabad: The 45-year-old cloth merchant, Mohd Amanulla Khan, had called up his family before the twin blasts here promising to return home soon. 

But he fell victim to the deadly blasts that left a total of 16 dead. 

Khan had called his family members around 5.30 pm yesterday to say that he is going to Dilsukhnagar for some work and that he would return home after that. 

As fate would have it, he never answered calls after the blasts and his body was found among the dead in the mortuary of the Osmania General Hospital, his son Kamran said. 

"We were searching all hospitals. We came to Osmania Hospital this morning and found him dead," he said. 

Fighting back tears, the young son recalled that his father had plans to go for Haj as he had performed the marriage of his only daughter. 

Hyd blast: Rs 6 lakh compensation to those permanently disabled

Hyderabad: The Andhra Pradesh government on Friday announced a compensation of Rs 6 lakh each to those who suffered permanent disability in the twin bomb blasts at Dilsukhnagar here, which claimed 16 lives and left over 100 injured. 

The state government had already announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs 6 lakh each to the kin of those killed in the blasts yesterday. 

Talking to reporters after a meeting Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy held with a group of ministers this afternoon, state Information and Public Relations Minister DK Aruna said 117 injured people were undergoing treatment in various hospitals in the city. Condition of four of the injured was critical, she said. 

"The government would bear the entire medical expenditure of all the injured," she added. 

The government, while strongly condemning the bomb blasts, extended sympathies to the bereaved families. 

It also thanked the central government for responding immediately to the terror attack. 

PDP condemns Hyderabad twin blasts

Srinagar: Opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Friday condemned the twin blasts in Hyderabad and saying while the perpetrators should be brought to justice, there should be no witch hunting.

"While everybody looks forward to the results of the investigation and severe punishment to the perpetrators of this crime, it is important not to go witch hunting as has been the case on many such occasions previously," PDP president Mehbooba Mufti said in a statement here. 

She said victimisation of the members of a particular community in the blasts that took place at Mecca Masjid, Ajmer Sharief, Malegaon and Samjhauta Express had resulted in a large number of Muslim youths being framed on charges that proved completely fabricated and false. 

"Nobody should be harassed for their religious affiliation," Mehbooba said. 

She conveyed her condolences to the families of the dead and prayed for speedy recovery of the injured persons. 

Two powerful Improvised Explosive Devices (IED), kept in aluminium containers fastened to bicycles, had exploded in bustling Dilsukhnagar area of Hyderabad last evening, killing 16 people and injuring over 100. 

High alert along India's border with other countries: BSF DG

Agartala: High alert has been sounded along India's borders with other countries and special measures taken in view of the blasts at Hyderabad, Director General of Border Security Force (BSF) Subhash Joshi said here on Friday.

"After the blasts at Hyderabad we have alerted our forces and the border is safe in the hands of the BSF. Special measures have been taken and we are ready to face any challenge," Joshi told reporters here. 

To a question on the western border with Pakistan, he said, "We have new plans and new strategies to protect the border which I am not going to discuss here, but we are sure that we can deal with the situation. We have the resources and motivation." 

Joshi, who met Chief Minister Manik Sarkar, said, 95 per cent of the barbed wire fencing along the 4,095 kms border with Bangladesh was complete andwork on the remaining portion was progressing. 

BSF planned to construct border outposts near the barbed wire fencing and has asked for land from state governments. In many places forest land needs to be transferred, he said. 

At present, 1,000 personnel of the BSF were women and in the course of time three per cent of the entire force would be women, he also said. 

Rajnath to visit Hyderabad, meet families of blast victims

New Delhi: BJP President Rajnath Singh will visit Hyderabad on Friday to meet the injured and family members of those killed in the twin blasts in the city. 

Rajnath, accompanied by BJP MP and spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain and party secretary Murlidhar Rao, is likely to visit the Dilsukhnagar area of Hyderabad where the two blasts took place yesterday evening. 

The BJP leaders will also visit the hospitals where the injured are being treated and later meet the kin of those killed. 

BJP is also likely to demand suspension of Question Hour in Lok Sabha to discuss the terror issue. 

In a statement issued yesterday, Singh had condoled the death of innocent people in the blast and demanded that immediate steps be taken to provide relief to the injured. 

14 people were killed and 110 injured, six of them critically when two powerful near simultaneous blasts ripped through a crowded area close to a cluster of bus stands in Dilsukhnagar area in Hyderabad yesterday. 

The blasts triggered by Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) tied to two bicycles took place at two sites 100 metres apart outside a roadside eatery near Konark and Venkatadiri theatres in the area located on the Hyderabad-Vijaywada National Highway in Cyberabad police limits. 

LIVE: Hyderabad blasts - 'NIA team to head for Darbhanga'

Hyderabad/New Delhi: Twin bomb blasts rocked Hyderabad on Thursday evening, killing at least 16 people and injuring over 100 others. 

In the first terror strike in the city since 2007, the blasts triggered by Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) tied to two bicycles took place in Dilsukhnagar area, south of Musi River in the southern part of the Andhra Pradesh capital and about 15 km from the heart of the city, when the busy commercial area was crowded with people returning home. 

The first blast took place around 7 pm near a tiffin centre opposite Venkatadri theatre and the second near Konark theatre. 

Latest developments: 

Sources informed that 5 sleeper cells were involved in carrying out the twin blasts in Dilsukh Nagar. The explosive used in the blast was bought in Hyderabad itself and a team of NIA officials will soon head to Darbhanga (Bihar) in search of clues, sources added.

Initial reports speculate use of 'delayed timer' for detonating the bombs used in the blasts. The 'delayed timer' provides ample time for the bomb-planter to escape after placing the bomb.

BJP president Rajnath Singh addresses press conference after visiting Hyderabad blasts site, says the Andhra Pradesh capital has turned into the epicentre of Pakistan-sponsored terrorism in India.

A specific alert warning attack by Pakistan-based terrorist group was shared by central security agencies with Hyderabad police on Thursday morning, Home Ministry officials said.

Unidentified bag found near the road next to AP Bhawan in Delhi. Police seal the area; disposal squad on its way.

Investigators are reportedly probing three specific names involved in Hyderabad blasts.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy said police take all alerts seriously and there was no communication gap between the Centre and the State.

Centre sends about 500 security personnel to Hyderabad to strengthen law and order situation.

Delhi Police, along with Hyderabad Police, are expected to interrogate an alleged Indian Mujahideen terrorist, arrested by Special Cell of the Delhi Police from Hyderabad last October.

National Security Adviser Shiv Shankar Menon said, “There are terror modules, they do try and strike. Some we manage to stop, this one got through”.

Lok Sabha adjourned till 3.30 pm.

Uproar in Lok Sabha as Deputy Speaker Karia Munda says that no discussion can be held on Hyderabad blasts immediately after the minister (Shinde) made the statement.

Reports say over 1 kg explosive was used in each bomb in Hyderabad. Also, red and grey liquid was found after the blasts and timer was used to carry out the dastardly incident.

BJP leader Sushma Swaraj condemns Shinde's statement, says it is 'very routine'.

In Lok Sabha, Shinde says investigation revealed IEDs were placed on cycles. Two FIRs have been registered in the case. He further put the death tool at 16. 117 people are injured, Shinde said, adding situation in Hyderabad is under control.

Union Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde begins addressing Lok Sabha.

The teams of NIA and other investigative agencies have finished collecting forensic evidence from the Hyderabad blast sites.

BJP president Rajnath Singh and party spokesman Shahnawaz Hussain visit the site of Hyderabad blasts.

National Investigation Agency director general SC Sinha met Andhra Pradesh DGP V Dinesh Reddy over Hyderabad blasts.

Pakistan condemns Hyderabad blasts.

Senior Congress leader and Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad will be visiting Hyderabad today.

Preliminary investigation into the twin blasts in Hyderabad has suggested that Improvised Explosive Device (IED) were used to carry out the explosions and the modus operandi was similar to blasts triggered by the banned militant outfit Indian Mujahideen.

Forensic experts of NSG and NIA and state police are examining all materials found from the blast sites and a final report was awaited.

The Delhi Police, along with Hyderabad Police, are expected to interrogate an alleged Indian Mujahideen terrorist, arrested by the Special Cell of the Delhi Police from a place in Hyderabad last October. Maqbool, who is currently in Tihar jail, had said the outfit was planning terror strikes in some places in Hyderabad for which recce had been carried out.

Rajya Sabha adjourned till 2:30 pm amid uproar over Hyderabad blasts.

Death toll in Hyderabad blasts rises to 16.

Parliament resumes; Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj asked, “If there was information, why was nothing done to prevent such an incident?”

Reports say that the wires of the CCTV camera installed near the blast site had been cut at least four days before the incident.

Minister of State for Home Affairs RPN Singh announced that Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde will make a detailed statement in Parliament at 2.30 pm.

Blasts issue resound in Parliament, adjourned.

Cyberabad police file first FIR in Hyderabad blast case.

Sources claim that Indian Mujahideen founder Riyaz Bhatkal, who is holed up in Pakistan, masterminded the Hyderabad twin blasts and carried it out with the help of IM operative Yasin Bhatkal.

Sai Baba temple in Hyderabad was the original target of bombers, say reports.

Death toll in Hyderabad twin blasts reaches 15.

BJP gives notice in Rajya Sabha, wants suspension of question hour to discuss Hyderabad blasts.

Nagasayi, the senior inspector, told reporters that iron nails were found at both the sites, but not in much quantity. He also said that there were chances that Ammonium Nitrate was mixed with other explosives.

US Secretary of State John Kerry on Friday made his maiden tweet to express sympathies with the people of Hyderabad.

Shinde also promised not to leave any stone unturned in investigation, adding specific intelligence was not given about a particular area. "There was no specific information that it (blasts) will happen in a particular area. A general alert has been sounded for the last two-three days and we have issued this alert to whole of the country," he said, when asked about his earlier statement that the central government had issued an alert.

Talking to reporters after visiting the scene of the blasts and calling on the injured at one of the hospitals, Home Minister Shinde put the death toll at 14, adding 119 persons are injured. Six injured people are critical at the moment, said Shinde.

BJP president Rajnath Singh will leave for Hyderabad at 2 pm.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has joined the international community in condemning the terrorist attack in Hyderabad.

The probe into the twin explosions has been taken over by the National Investigation Agency.

Shinde will reportedly give statement in both Houses of Parliament on Hyderabad twin blasts.

Union Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde this morning visited the blasts site, a day after admitting the government had received intelligence warning of explosions taking place in the country but no specific target was mentioned.

Shinde drove to Dilsukhnagar and inspected the blasts scene along with Andhra Pradesh Governor ESL Narasimhan, Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy, state Home Minister Sabita Indra Reddy and other officials. Director General of Police Dinesh Reddy briefed Shinde about the two near-simultaneous blasts in the crowded area.

Death toll reaches 13 in Hyderabad twin blasts.

The deadly twin blasts that rocked Hyderabad on Thursday was planned and executed to take revenge for the execution of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru, sources told Zee News on Friday.

Eight of the 12 people killed in the twin bomb blasts in Hyderabad have been identified.

The United States strongly condemned the terrorist bombings in Hyderabad and offered assistance in investigation if requested by the Indian government.

NIA and the National Security Guards (NSG) teams are in Hyderabad to probe the explosions.

Telugu Desam Party president N Chandrababu Naidu has cancelled his padyatra in the wake of the twin blasts.

After condemning the “barbaric act”, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy convened a law and order meet at 12:30 am.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh described the twin blasts as a "dastardly attack" and said the guilty should not "go unpunished".

Shinde visits Hyderabad blast sites, toll climbs to 14

Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde along with Andhra Pradesh Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan and Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy visit the scene of the bomb blasts at Dilsukhnagar in Hyderabad on Friday. Director-General of Police V. Dinesh Reddy explains the sequence of events to him. Photo: P.V. Sivakumar

Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde on Friday visited the twin bomb blasts site at Dilsukhnagar in Hyderabad even as the toll in the attack rose to 14.

Mr. Shinde, who reached Hyderabad by a special flight this morning, drove straight to Dilsukhnagar and inspected the blast site.

Speaking to reporters, he said 14 people were killed in the blast and 110 were injured, six of them critically.

Investigations have begun and the State government has appointed a probe team, he said.

Replying to a query about inputs suggesting that a blast might take place in Hyderabad, he said there was no specific alert and only a general alert was issued to the States.

To another query about the involvement of group in the blast, he said such things can’t be said at the moment.

The Minister, who was accompanied by Andhra Pradesh Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan, Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy and Union Home Secretary N.K. Singh, inspected the fast food centre where the bicycle bomb killed at least eight persons on the spot.

He then went to the bus shelter about 150 meters away where the second blast killed another six people and left many injured.

Mr. Shinde also spoke with officials of the National Investigating Agency and enquired about the clues gathered from the scene.

The Union Minister later visited some hospitals where the injured persons were undergoing treatment.

Director General of Police V. Dinesh Reddy briefed the Union Home Minister about the two blasts.

Two powerful near-simultaneous blasts had ripped through a crowded area close to a cluster of bus stands in Dilsukhnagar area on Thursday.

The blasts triggered by Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) tied to two bicycles took place at two sites 100 meters apart outside a roadside eatery near Konark and Venkatadiri theatres in the area located on the Hyderabad-Vijaywada National Highway in Cyberabad police limits.

DGP Reddy had said it was “definitely the handiwork of a terrorist network” and IEDs were used in the attack.

The Union Home Secretary had said the two near-simultaneous and very powerful blasts indicate that it was a “terror attack”.

The Dilsukhnagar area is thickly populated and traffic jams are routine in the evenings with office-goers and students rushing home. Large numbers of people wait at the numerous bus shelters, eateries and shops in the area.

Meanwhile, police have established the identity of 12 of the 14 killed in the blasts.

Two of the deceased were MBA students, a release from Cyberabad Police Commissioner’s office said.

Post-mortem of the bodies was conducted at Osmania General Hospital.

Keywords: Hyderabad blast, Dilsukhnagar blast, Hyderabad twin blasts, National Investigating Agency, Improvised Explosive Devices, Sushil Kumar Shinde