<b>Malegaon blast:</b> 10 killed, 100 injured

Ten persons were killed and nearly 100 injured in a blast outside a mosque in this communally sensitive town of Nasik district of Maharashtra today, officials said.

"We have reports from Nasik health authorities that ten people have been reported dead and nearly a hundred injured in Malegaon today," Maharashtra Health Directorate sources in Mumbai said.

The blast took place outside Nurani Masjid near Bada Kabristan area in the heart of city when people were returning after offering prayers on the occasion of 'Shab-e-raat', police said.

"Arrangements for blood and other facilities are being made for the injured. We are trying to rush as much help from Mumbai as possible," the sources said.

Maharashtra Director General of Police P S Pasricha told reporters in Mumbai that one blast occurred in Malegaon in which a large number of people were injured while Nasik Superintendent of Police Rajvardhan told reporters that five persons were killed and nearly two dozen injured.

The figure of casualty could rise and the exact figure will be known after police reach the spot, he said.

Deputy Chief Minister and Home Minister, R R Patil, Nasik Range Inspector General of Police P K Jain and the Nasik SP are on way to Malegaon, sources said, adding senior officials of the Home Department are meeting in Mantralaya to take stock of the situation.