At least 12 killed in Hyderabad blasts
Source: The Sangai Express / Press Trust of India
Hyderabad, February 21 2013:
At least 12 people were killed and 32 injured tonight when at least three powerful serial blasts rocked a busy commercial hub of Hyderabad close to a crowded bus stand at Dilsukhnagar.
The death toll is expected to climb.
The Prime Minister has condemned the blasts.
The blasts took place during the peak hour outside a roadside eatery near Konark cinema theatre in the locality resulting in a stampede-like situation with people trying to run for safety.
The injured have been rushed to various hospitals by ambulances and police and bomb disposal squads swung into action and began searches.
Official sources said 12 people were killed in the series of explosions which hit the area in quick intervals.
At least 32 people were also injured, they said, The first blast occurred at 7.01 pm and the second five minutes later followed by the third explosion after a gap of 15 minutes.
A team of National Security Guards(NSG) was being rushed to Hyderabad.
Police said the bombs may have been placed in a cycle.
Union Home Secretary R K Singh said the NSG team is leaving by a BSF aircraft.
A team of NIA hub stationed in Hyderabad has also rushed to the spot.
The previous major attack in Hyderabad was on August 25, 2007 when two blasts took place almost simultaneously.
The first blast was reported at a park and it was followed by another in a eating joint in Hyderabad.
Chief Minister N Kiran Reddy rushed to the blast site.