Mecca Masjid blast, twin blasts linked: Reddy

TERROR LINK: Reddy said, “It’s either the same organisation or sister organisations that are involved”.

A map of the blasts site.

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Hyderabad: A day after twin blasts rocked Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Rajashekhar Reddy in an exclusive interview to CNN-IBN on Sunday said the twin blasts have “some connection” with the Mecca Masjid blast that happened in Hyderabad three months ago.

“There is some definite link. It’s either the same organisation or sister organisations that are involved,” the Chief Minister said.

At least 44 people are feared dead, and over 100 were injured in the explosions that ripped through the recreational centres in Lumbini Park and Hyderbad's famous Gokul Chat Bhandar in Kothi locality on Saturday.

Reddy, after an emergency meeting of the state cabinet on Sunday said that the “available information points to terrorist organisations in Bangladesh and Pakistan”.

After the Mecca Masjid blast and Saturday’s twin blasts questions are now being raised about the security situation in Hyderabad.

However, when asked if there was a specific ground on which he was making this claim, Reddy evaded the question and said, “We can't divulge everything”.

But some other intelligence agencies say that the term “foreign hand” that is CM often uses is a very generic term. They say it is not clear whether he’s referring to the ISI, Harkat-ul-Jihad-al-Islami (HUJI) or some other specific militant group based in Bangladesh or Pakistan.

Reddy announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh each for the families of those killed in the explosions and Rs 20,000 each to the injured. The Chief Minister also promised government jobs for one member from the family of the deceased along with free treatment at all hospitals for the injured.

Meanwhile, security has been tightened across the state as Sunday happens to be an auspicious day for weddings and over 1,000 marriages are scheduled in the city. It also includes the wedding of Telugu Desam chief Chandrababu Naidu's son Lokesh.

The state Cabinet has also decided not to attend any wedding except mass weddings in Hyderabad. Security has been beefed up for mass marriages taking place in the city.

The Intelligence Bureau had sent a specific alert to the Andhra Pradesh Police early this week on possible terror attacks in the city.

While the security at public places in Hyderabad was reportedly lax, the security arrangement for VIPs was increased.

The Andhra Pradesh government, earlier this week, also approved a plan to enhance security for the Chief Minister. The total number of security personnel guarding Reddy was increased to 338.

Chronology of major bombings in South India

May 18, 2007: At least 13 people were killed, in the blasts at Mecca Masjid, Hyderabad. That blast took place during Friday prayers.

December 2005: Professor M C Puri was killed in an attack at the Indian Institute of Science in Bangalore. Four scientists were seriously injured. A gunman had opened fire at the group of scientists.

February 1998: Forty-six persons were killed in 13 bomb attacks at 11 places in Coimbatore. The dead included 35 men, 10 women and a child.

Andhra Pradesh government has requested people to donate blood for blast victims. Helpline numbers are 040-23559555, 9948118765.