Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil arrived in Hyderabad on Saturday in the wake of Friday's blast at the historic Mecca Masjid, which claimed 14 lives.

Accompanied by Chief Minister Y S Rajsekhar Reddy, Patil will visit the mosque and the Osmania Hospital, where many of the injured have been admitted for treatment.

Devotees were offering Friday prayers at the mosque when a powerful bomb ripped through a gathering of thousands, leaving 14 people dead, including some killed in police firing during subsequent protests.

Police sources said they suspect the hand of Harkat-ul-Jihad al Islami behind the blast.

Two persons succumbed to injuries in hospital.

Over 40 people, including children, were injured in the blast remotely triggered using a mobile phone.

Photograph: Snaps India