President A P J Abdul Kalam and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Friday condemned the bomb blast in a mosque in Hyderabad and asked people to maintain peace and communal harmony.

In letter to Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y Rajasekhara Reddy, the President strongly condemned the blast at the Mecca mosque in Charminar area, in which five persons were killed and several injured.

"I am sure that the state government is taking all steps to provide help to the injured and to the families of the deceased," the President said.

He also conveyed condolences to the families of the bereaved and prayed for early recovery of injured, President's Press Secretary S M Khan said.

The Prime Minister also condemned the blast and urged members of all communities to maintain peace and communal harmony," PM's Media Adviser Sanjaya Baru said in a statement.

He said the Prime Minister has conveyed his condolences to the relatives of the victims.

A powerful crude bomb exploded during Friday prayers at the historic Mecca mosque today, killing five persons and injuring 30 others, including two children.

Strongly condemning the blast, Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Friday expressed her condolences to the bereaved families in the "senseless act".

Gandhi, in a message, also asked Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy to take immediate steps so that those responsible are brought to the book.

She also expressed "deep concern and grief" over the incident.

At least five persons were killed and eight others, including two children, were injured when a powerful bomb exploded during Friday prayers at the historic Mecca mosque in the Charminar area of the old city in Hyderabad this afternoon.