'Three dead' in India shrine blast

(CNN) -- At least three people have been killed and 20 more injured following an explosion at a revered Islamic shrine in the northern Indian state of Rajasthan, CNN sister station CNN-IBN reported on Thursday.

The blast occurred outside Dargah Sharif, a Sufi monument in the state's pilgrimage town of Ajmer, during Iftar, the daily breaking of fast following Ramadan. At least 500 people were gathered inside, CNN-IBN reported.

Journalist Virendra Arya, who was inside the shrine at the time of the blast, told CNN-IBN that one person died at the scene and another succumbed to fatal injuries en route to hospital.

Police said the blast appeared to have been caused by explosive material packed into a lunchbox, CNN-IBN reported.

They also cited similarities to a bomb blast at a Hyderabad mosque in May which killed 11 people.

Rajasthan police chief Kanhiya Lal said markets surrounding the area had been closed and law and order has been restored.

"We will see to it that everything is back to normal by tomorrow and that people can return to pray," he said. E-mail to a friend