An would-be suicide bomber on a motorcycle was shot dead by Rangers personnel on Hyderabad's Daman-i-Kohsar road after he lobbed a 'cracker' into a nearby graveyard while fleeing, Rangers sources told Dawn on Friday. His accomplice fled the scene of crime.

A Rangers vehicle on patrol near the Amani Shah graveyard signalled for two men on a passing motorcycle to stop, sources said.

The men stopped and one lobbed a 'cracker' into the graveyard. Rangers sources said they shot and killed the man who threw the 'cracker' into the graveyard. Upon examination, they found he was wearing a suicide vest.

The assailant could not be identified, but Rangers sources claimed he appeared to be in his early 30s.

The sources alleged the would-be suicide bomber had intended to target the under-construction imambargah nearby.

A Rangers press release, however, claimed that two assailants on a motorcycle, while attempting to enter the imambargah during Friday prayers, attacked a Rangers mobile with a hand grenade.

Rangers personnel shot the assailant dead. A suicide jacket, arms and ammunition were recovered from the assailant's body, the statement claimed.