Well, isn't THIS interesting?

A bomb exploded today at Mecca Masjid, a large mosque near Charminar. At least 12 people are dead - 9 from the blast, and 3 as a result of the subsequent unrest and police response.

I took these pictures on my first weekend in Hyderabad in April 2005, when Haranadh and Murali drove me around to see Charminar, Chowmahalla Palace and Golconda Fort. Here is Charminar:



I took this picture of Mecca Masjid (as well as the following one of Osmania Hospital, where many victims of the blast were taken) from a balcony in Charminar.





Praveen (my driver) said that tomorrow has been declared (in his words) "a holiday" and that stores will be closed. More like a day of mourning or, perhaps, curfew.

Mecca Masjid is just over 4 miles (as the crow flies) from my flat.