posted April 14, 2006 01:16 PM              

HindustanTimes.com

New Delhi, April 14, 2006





Thirteen people were injured, one of them seriously, in two explosions that took place in quick succession inside the historic Jama Masjid in Old Delhi when the devout were offering prayers on Friday evening.

While the first explosion occurred at around 5.20 pm, another took place 15 minutes later near a pond used by worshipers for ablutions in the courtyard of the 17th century mosque build by Mughal emperor Shahjahan.

The explosions left black patches near the pond. Blood stains were also seen at the blast sites.

A doctor at the LNJP hospital said 13 people have been admitted for treatment of minor injuries and burns. One of them is stated to be serious.

However, a senior police official said only six persons were injured.

According to eyewitnesses women and children were among the wounded.

Shahi Imam Sayeed Ahmed Bukhari said the two explosions occurred within 10 minutes of each just before evening prayers on the Muslim holy day.

"I cannot put a figure on the number of those injured but I saw one man critically injured and women running with their bleeding children on their arms," Bukhari told reporters.

"We did not see the first explosion but the second one definitely originated from a bag that was kept inside the prayer grounds," the priest said.

"The second blast went off as people were helping those injured and if this is not a terror attack then what is?" asked the chief priest, appealing for calm.

"There is anger among our people but I am appealing to them to maintain calm," he said as groups of Muslims shouted anti-India slogans outside the complex.

Police, meanwhile confirmed two blasts.

"We received reports of two explosion inside the Jama Masjid," an official on duty at the local police station said.

A fire department spokesman said five fire tenders had been sent to the mosque after receiving reports of "at least two explosions."