Cops attacked to avenge firing after Mecca blast

A little known terror outfit called Tehreek-e-Galba-e-Islam has claimed responsibility for Monday's attack on policemen here and said it was to avenge police firing on Muslims protesting the 2007 blast at the historic Mecca Masjid.

One home guard was killed and a police constable was injured when unidentified gunmen opened fire at a police picket in Falaknuma in the old city Monday.

Police claimed late Monday that a pamphlet in the name of Tehreek-e-Galba-e-Islam was found at the scene. It stated that the attack was to avenge the death of five protesters immediately after the blast at the mosque.

The attack on policemen took place on the second anniversary of the blast at the Mecca Masjid, which killed nine persons and injured dozens of others. Minutes after the blast, police had opened fire on a mob outside the mosque, killing five people.

Home Minister K Jana Reddy told reporters late Monday that the gunmen belonging to the little-known outfit left behind the pamphlet before escaping.

Police Commissioner B Prasada Rao said the pamphlet was in the name of one Fasiuddin Amir and he threatened to carry out more attacks to eliminate all policemen involved in the police firing.

Police are trying to find out who Fasiuddin Amir is, though they suspect it could be false name - in 1993, a terrorist called Mohammed Fasiuddin was killed in a gun battle with police.

Home Guard K Balaswamy, 24, was killed in Monday's attack while police constable Rajendra Prasad was critically injured.

Police said two youngsters wearing helmets walked up to the policemen and opened fire at close range.

The attackers escaped on a two-wheeler. Six bullet shells and two live rounds, all of 7.65 mm calibre, were found on the spot.