While 11 people died in yesterday's bomb blast at Mecca mosque, five died in police firing. The Indian Express tracked the families of some of the victims, all off them in the Old City. Those who died were mostly the sole earning members of their families.

Yousef Khan aka Kalu, 35

For Khan’s family, it was a double tragedy. Khan and his son-in-law Mohammed Shafiqur Rehman had gone to the Mecca Masjid to offer prayers before the last rites of Khan’s brother who had died a day earlier. Both were in the last line of devotees, and were killed instantly when the bomb went off. A rickshaw puller, Khan spent his whole life in the old city. He lived with his brothers, sisters and children at the Mahjreen Camp area, adjoining the rear wall of the mosque.

Mohd Shafikur Rahman, 28

Ten years ago, Rehman migrated to Hyderabad from Assam along with his family. “We left Assam to escape violence,” said his younger brother. Rehman worked hard to make a living, and eventually was able to open a small shop selling poultry products in Feel Khana. A couple of years ago, he married Yousef Khan’s daughter. The couple have a son. He was killed along with his father-in-law.

Mohammed Samer, 11

He was home from boarding school because of a broken hand. “He told us he was going to the mosque at the end of the road. But we found out later that he had gone to Mecca Masjid, which is far away,” cried his mother Naseema. Eyewitnesses said the boy finished his namaz early and was picking up his shoes from under the Patthar Ka Takhat, the place where the bomb was kept. The bomb blew up in his face, killing him instantly.

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