Mecca Masjid blast anniversary: Hyderabad’s Old City on high alert

Armed pickets posted at communally sensitive points in connection with the sixth anniversary of the terror attack inside Mecca Masjid

May 17, 2013 11:05 pm | Updated November 16, 2021 10:22 pm IST - HYDERABAD:

Paramilitary personnel from the Rapid Action Force stand guard on the eve of the Mecca Masjid blast anniversary on Saturday. -Photo: G. Ramakrishna

Paramilitary personnel from the Rapid Action Force stand guard on the eve of the Mecca Masjid blast anniversary on Saturday. -Photo: G. Ramakrishna

Security has been strengthened at all sensitive points in the Old City in connection with the sixth anniversary of the terror attack inside Mecca Masjid on Friday.

Additional forces, including contingents of Rapid Action Force and the Andhra Pradesh Special Police, had already been deployed at vulnerable points.

They were used for security arrangements for the noon prayers on Friday and their deployment will be continued on Saturday as well.

Armed pickets have been posted at communally sensitive points.

“We didn’t want to take any chances as a terror operative Vikaruddin, who had been caught, earlier targeted policemen on the day of Mecca Masjid blast anniversary in 2009 and 2010,” a police officer said.

Vikarauddin and his gang members opened fire at a police constable and a Home Guard at Falaknuma in 2009, killing the latter. He struck again on the same day in 2010 by shooting dead an unarmed police constable on security duty at Shahalibanda.

Since two unarmed policemen died in the terror attack, the police top brass decided not to post any pickets without unarmed policemen.

Patrolling and vehicle checking was conducted extensively for past two days and would be continued for the next two to three days.

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