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Mumbai under siege as death toll tops 100
Thursday, 27 November 2008
Sebastian D'Souza
A gunman walks at the Chatrapathi Sivaji Terminal railway station in Mumbai, India, Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2008.
More pictures
The death toll from the Mumbai terror attacks topped 100 today, with parts of the city still under siege.
The attackers specifically targeted Britons and Americans at hotels and restaurant, witnesses said.
Teams of gunmen stormed the hotels, a popular restaurant, hospitals and a crowded station in co-ordinated attacks across India's financial capital -formerly known as Bombay - yesterday, killing at least 101 people and taking Westerners hostage.
A group of suspected Muslim militants have reportedly claimed responsibility.
State home minister RR Patil said of the gunmen: "We're gong to catch them dead or alive. An attack on Mumbai is an attack on the rest of the country."
Police and gunmen were exchanging occasional gunfire at two luxury hotels and an unknown number of people were held hostage, said AN Roy, a top police official.
Pradeep Indulkar, a senior official at the Maharashtra state Home Ministry said 101 people were killed and 287 injured.
The attacks on Google Maps
Officials said at least six militants had been killed since the overnight attacks began at around 9.30pm local time.
Today police loudspeakers declared a curfew around Mumbai's landmark Taj Mahal hotel, and black-clad commandos ran into the building as fresh gunshots rang out from the area, apparently the beginning of an assault on gunmen who had taken hostages in the hotel.
Ambulances were seen driving up to the entrance to the hotel and journalists were made to move even further back from the area.
A series of explosions had rocked the Taj Mahal just after midnight. Screams were heard and black smoke billowed from the century-old edifice on Mumbai's waterfront. Firefighters sprayed water at the blaze and plucked people from balconies with extension ladders. By dawn, the fire was still burning.
Meanwhile media reports said gunmen had seized the Mumbai headquarters of ultra-orthodox Jewish outreach group Chabad Lubavitch overnight, and that shots had been heard coming from the building.
Representatives of the New York-based group referred questions to their website, which said the Israeli consulate had earlier been in touch with the rabbi who lived in the house, "but the line was cut in middle of the conversation. No further contact has since been established".
An Indian media report said a previously unknown group calling itself the Deccan Mujahideen had claimed responsibility for the attacks in emails to several media outlets.
The NDTV news channel showed several yellow and black rubber dinghies on a beach near the hotels, apparently used by the gunmen to reach the area.
Police reported hostages being held at the Taj Mahal and Oberoi hotels, two of the best-known upscale destinations in this crowded but wealthy city.
Gunmen who burst into the Taj "were targeting foreigners. They kept shouting, 'Who has US or UK passports?'," said Ashok Patel, a British citizen who fled from the hotel.
Authorities believed seven to 15 foreigners were hostages at the Taj Mahal hotel, said Anees Ahmed, a top state official.
Officials at Bombay Hospital said a Japanese man had died there and nine Europeans had been admitted, three of them in a critical condition with gunshot wounds. All had come from the Taj Mahal, the officials said.
Blood smeared the floor of the Chhatrapati Shivaji station, where attackers sprayed bullets into the crowded terminal.
Nasim Inam, hands shaking, said he saw commuters gunned down as they walked to catch late trains home.
Other gunmen attacked Leopold's restaurant, a landmark popular with foreigners, and the police headquarters in southern Mumbai, the area where most of the attacks took place. The restaurant was riddled with bullet holes and there were blood on the floor and shoes left by fleeing customers.
Several EU politicians were among people who barricaded themselves inside the Taj, a century-old seaside hotel complex and one of the city's best-known destinations.
"I was in the main lobby and there was all of a sudden a lot of firing outside," said Conservative MEP Sajjad Karim, part of an EU delegation visiting Mumbai before a European Union-India summit.
As he turned to get away, "all of a sudden another gunmen appeared in front of us, carrying machine gun-type weapons. And he just started firing at us ... I just turned and ran in the opposite direction," he said on his mobile phone.
Hours later, Mr Karim remained holed up in a hotel restaurant, unsure if it was safe to come out.
India has been wracked by bomb attacks the past three years, which police blame on Muslim militants intent on destabilising the largely Hindu country. Nearly 700 people have died.
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@all believers of conspiracy theories: No the terrorists didnt come on speed boats all the way from Karachi, they travelled in a fishing trawler named ´kuber until a certain point. and there are enough evidences to prove ur imaginations wrong.
@criticizers wo never held a gun in their hands and are commenting on Police, then remember all the police had was bolt action rifles, and are helpless when automatic weapons are firing, next thing is police is usually not allowed to shoot without orders.
Posted by Irwin | 31.03.09, 11:26 GMT
According to Indian Govt. terrorist came from Karachi by Speed boat, the distance from Karachi to Mumbai is 500 nautical miles. I think terrorist deserve a credit to cross that much distance on speed boats whitouy the noticing of Indian Naval Force, where as the coast from end of the disputed maritime Pakistan-Indian boundary is littered with coastal cities, ports, fishing zones, off shore oil installation, Fixed Indian Naval radars, aerial and ship based radars and an active blue water force. Afer reaching Mumbai, some of them went to TAJ Hotel and The Oberoi Hotel. On the map you can see their location. They are not close to each other. Not a single terrorist were hiding his face, in pictures they were carrying guns and explosives, NO ONE SAW them. They went to Hotels if they now each part of the Hotels. How stupid they were going on a suicide mission with carrying their ID cards, stuff to show who they are, making calls to friend and families so that they can get into trouble.
Posted by Noterrorism | 07.12.08, 08:17 GMT
One of the militants photographed, holding a gun is shown wearing
a Saffron coloured wristband used by militant Hindus. His features do not resemble those of Pakistanis. Furthermore the hotel staff has confirmed that these terrorists had taken alcohol & some Whisky bottles were found in the back packs of the terrorists. Do you really think a Jehadi will consume alcohol going on a mission knowing fully well that he was going to be killed.
Whoever has done this should be exposed, whether they are the faceless stateless terrorists or home grown ones playing a political game.
Posted by Sachibaat | 04.12.08, 01:53 GMT
Why we should not know how many of them landed on Indian soil?
On the first day I remember seeing breaking news as 5 terrorist dead 9 captured...
On thirdday on NDTV highlight was 5 terrorist killed 1 captured at TAJ
CM Maharastra said there could be 20 to 25 in a press conferance on second day...
R R Patil is saying 10 9 killed one captured....
When we will know correct figure?
Posted by Shrikant Barve | 02.12.08, 10:11 GMT
If we don't begin to stand up for what is "right" in our country (U.S.A.) and all over the world...we will be defeated by these terrorists. They have a passion, and they think they have a Divine Purpose...That's their distorted advantage. If we have no passion for God and what is right, we cannot survive. America wake up! Remember your roots, remember that "One Nation Under God" is what we were. Remember when we knew right from wrong and taught our children. Remember that the only way that evil can triumph is when good men do nothing..Like those policemen who stood by and didn't fire a shot! Our humanity is being stolen from us by movies, T.V. , distractions, and selfish indulgences. Open your Bible, read the Truth that will set you free...REad about the Wisdom of God...who promises blessings to those who honor His Law. As we set God outside...and permit the haters to remove the very roots of our lives...we are reaping what we are sowing. Stand up, and fight the good fight everyday.
Posted by Alicewondering | 02.12.08, 06:06 GMT
Wait Lisa! Wow! Are you afraid? Islamic Terrorism and fanaticism Lisa; so there's extremists in every religious group, which means they're the same as the Islamic terrorists that blindly slaughtered people? Did you read the article?
I don't see extremists from any other group carrying out this type of slaughter ALL OVER THE WORLD? ASK YOURSELF WHAT THESE INDIVIDUALS ARE TAUGHT? WHO AND WHERE ARE THESE PEOPLE TAUGHT THEIR HATRED? DO YOU WANT TO LIVE UNDER SHARIA LAW? AND DON'T GIVE ME OH YOU'RE A RACIST GARBAGE, THE MODERATE MUSLIMS ARE TARGETS AS WELL. READ UP ABOUT THE THREAT AND DON'T BE NAIVE ABOUT WHAT THEY SAY IN PUBLIC.
Posted by John Pynchon | 01.12.08, 03:07 GMT
Question...WHY? Is this caused by poverty, by the imperialism of the United States, retaliation for the death of 2000 muslim...what happened to this group of men that would cause them to commit these acts? The civilized mind would say there is nothing in this world that would justify these deaths, or the deaths in Bali Bombings, or the events of Sept 11th in the United States, or the Islamic Pirates off the coast of Somalia, or Decades worth of events all tied to "Islam" Dont be a fool. Connect the dots. Its a straight line. The line leads back to Islam.
Posted by WHY?????? Post 1 | 01.12.08, 01:24 GMT
Looking at the photo map of the town and noting the distances betwen the targets of the attackers, one is led to ask, "How could ten lads get from one place to another so quickly without transport of some kind?' Surely, there must have been some help by others who hid in the shadows, sympathizers who melted back into the crowd once they had done their helping tasks.
The performance of the armed police who hid out and refuused to fight back is a disgrace that India will have to live with for years to come.
India was simply not prepared to deal with this attack and reacted in a shameful way.
Scotty
Posted by Scotty | 30.11.08, 15:56 GMT
My comment is to Stuart who made the last post...Stuart we have seen exactly the same kind of incidents too many times. Mumbai has been hit with quite a few terrorist attacks ever since the Babri mosque was demolished by Hindu extremists (yah! there's such thing).
Everyone keeps blaming Islamic Fundamentalism!! we dont even know who these guys are or what their exact motives were...This could be the latest series of retaliation for the deaths of 2000 Muslims in the riots in Gujrat.
Posted by Lisa | 29.11.08, 16:02 GMT
I think its important to come to terms with the fact that we have seen nothing like the force that is behind this, ever. Islamic fundamentalism is a something we need to understand and face up to. We cannot go on thinking that its not an issue we need to deal with.
Posted by Stuart | 29.11.08, 02:35 GMT
Stuck in Mumbai and gun and grenade battles are raging on at the the Taj Hotel and Nariman House. The final assault by the Indian NSG will hopefully end the seige as soon as possible.
Posted by Paul | 28.11.08, 12:43 GMT
Is the stadium name in the top of the picture a joke?
Posted by Aaron | 28.11.08, 10:46 GMT
Excellent coverage and updated news. Thanks.
Posted by a. palani | 28.11.08, 05:26 GMT
definatley cashing in on my dual nationality here! Get me an irish passport.
Posted by michael | 27.11.08, 20:00 GMT
I am stuck in Mu bai at the moment, all routes out of the city by plane/train are not operating and the seige still goes on.
Posted by claire Co Down Co Down 72.30.79.99 | 27.11.08, 18:19 GMT
Will Gordon offer the same kind of vigorous response to the one he has already shown in Zimbabwe?
Posted by T J McClean | 27.11.08, 07:39 GMT
Think it's time to get an Irish Passport!!
Posted by Peter | 27.11.08, 05:59 GMT
The BBC help line number to the F.O. is not working and adding to the distress of relatives. For twenty five minutes after the number was broadcast it showed as number unobtainable and now we sit here waiting in a queue. Where can we find out what is going on?
Posted by Ann | 26.11.08, 23:46 GMT