RDX was used in blast, says AP chief minister

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy said on Friday that RDX was used in the bomb blast that ripped through the historic Mecca Masjid.

"We have information that RDX was used in the explosion. We are confident of identifying the culprits very soon," Reddy told reporters after visiting the injured at Osmania General Hospital.

Stating that the explosive material used in the attack was very sophisticated, the chief minister said a thorough probe was on to identify the people behind the blast and from where the material was procured.

Reddy, who cut short his Delhi visit and arrived in Hyderabad on Friday evening, said the explosion was the handiwork of anti-social elements who were bent upon disturbing peace and communal harmony.

"The police has defused two more live bombs thereby averting a major tragedy," he said.

Apart from Rs 5 lakh ex-gratia, the families of the blast victims would be provided a house, he said.

Earlier, soon after his arrival from Delhi, Reddy held a high-level meeting at the airport to review the situation in the aftermath of the blast.

Meanwhile, 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 who expressed anguish over the incident asked the police officials to bring the situation under control immediately.

He told 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.