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Early on Friday morning, sporadic gunfire and explosions continued at a Jewish centre where at least 10 Israelis were trapped or being held hostage.
Police said militants were also still holed up at the Taj Mahal hotel and the nearby Oberoi-Trident hotel along with an unknown number of hostages.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh pinned blame for the attacks on militant groups based in India's neighbours, usually an allusion to Pakistan, raising prospects of renewed tension between the nuclear-armed rivals.
He warned of "a cost" if these nations did not take action to stop their territory being used to launch such attacks.
An estimated 25 men armed with assault rifles and grenades -- at least some of whom arrived by sea -- fanned out across Mumbai on Wednesday night to attack sites popular with tourists and businessmen, including the city's top two luxury hotels.
Police said at least seven of the attackers were killed and nine suspects had been taken into custody. They said 12 policemen were killed, including Hemant Karkare, chief of the police anti-terrorist squad in Mumbai.
At least six foreigners, including one Australian, a Briton, an Italian and a Japanese national, were killed. Scores of others were trapped in the fighting or were being held hostage.
More than 300 people were wounded.
Commandos battled the militants through Thursday, often room to room in the hotels, to rescue people, police said. Flames billowed out of the buildings and loud explosions were heard during the fighting.
Mumbai, a city of nearly 18 million people that is the nerve-centre of India's growing economic prowess and home to the "Bollywood" film industry, was virtually shut down on Thursday as the battles raged.
But in a reflection of the poverty that sits cheek-by-jowl with the upmarket shops and restaurants in the city, hundreds of people were stretched out asleep on pavements and handcarts near the scenes of fighting.
The sea-facing Marine Drive in front of the Oberoi-Trident is a favoured spot for early morning walks, and some regulars came out for their constitutional despite the tension.
"I hear they (the security forces) have relaxed the rules a little so I came for my morning walk but I did not see any of the regulars," said Raja Ram Patil, 54, a local businessman.
British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said the attack would be met with a "vigorous response".
U.S. President-elect Barack Obama condemned the incident. Obama, who favours a regional solution to the war in Afghanistan and is encouraging Pakistan and India to make peace over Kashmir, was monitoring the situation closely, an aide said. [nLR502129]
The Times of India published a photograph of one of the attackers, dressed in a black T-shirt and holding an assault rifle with a backpack over his shoulder.
At least some of them had come ashore in what police said was a rubber dinghy. They commandeered a vehicle and sprayed passersby with bullets, and fired indiscriminately in a train station, hospitals and a popular tourist cafe.
ANTI-TERRORIST COP
"The situation is still not under control and we are trying to flush out any more terrorists hiding inside the two hotels," said Vilasrao Deshmukh, chief minister of Maharashtra.
The death toll was only an estimate in an attack which brought the biggest chaos to the city since serial bombings in 1993 killed 260 people and injured hundreds.
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Pakistan should be supported, this is a tragedy but its like someone who comes from the us and kills people. If these men were from the USA you cow piss drinking retards would forgive them. Ok you can say pakistan did it, look on the funny side 10 pakistani militants against ur crap security they managed to take lives and it was for 3 days. Imagine what would happen if they send a whole army. Islam is not sic hinduism is sic u burn people of other faiths for a living. GUJRAT tragedy you guys care when its ur blood but when its someone elases u switch off.P.S ur army is crap 10 men against ur so called army didnt work out
HELLO SIR / MADAM THIS IS RIGHT TIME TO ATTACK PAKISTAN PLEASE FORWAD THIS MESSAGE TO ALL, PM , MLA'S, CM TO TAKE SOME STRONG ACTION AGAINST PAKISTAN OTHERWISE WE CANT SAY PROUDLY THAT YES I M PROUD TO BE AN INDIAN JAIHIND
I THINK THE GOVERMENT SHOULD PROVIDE HI-TECH ARMS AND SAFTY JACKETS ETC. TO THE POLICE AND THE ANTI-TERRO. SQUAD IMMIDIATLY , AS KNOWING WHAT WENT WRONG, DID THE INTELLEGENCE FAIL, HOW TO FIX THE INTELLEGENCE, HOW TO INCREASE THE COASTAL SECURITY ETC. WILL TAKE TIME.SO WHAT WE CAN DO IS PROVIDE OUR POLICE AND SECURITY SYSTEM ALL THE WEAPONS TO FIGHT TERROR AS WE ALL SAW THAT OUR BRAVE POLICE MEN WERE SIMPLY NO MATCH FOR THE VERY HEAVELY ARMED TERRORIST AND THEIR WEPONS WERE ALSO VERY HI - TECH. ACCORDING TO ME ONE CANNOT PREVENT SUCH ATTACKS AS 1 OR MAY BE 2 OUT OF TEN TERRORIST WILL SUCCED IN ATTACKING, SO WHAT WE CAN DO IS WE CAN BE READY AND WELL PREPARED WITH ALL GOOD ARMS AND AMMUNATIONS TO FIGHT TERROR.
Government should provide each indian a SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER like in U.S so that every indian can be recognised wherever he goes and if police find anyone suspicious then he can be arrested easily so that we can reduce the terrorist activity in India.
perhaps ram gopal verma accompanied the chief minister to search for suitable plots from the taj hotel to make his next horror film.
THE MOST COWARD POLICTICANS RUN THIS COUNTRY, THIS IS VERY UNFORTUNATE. OUR BRAVE, INTELLIGENT, AND HONEST OFFICERS AND GUARDS DIE EVERY TIME AT THE COST OF OUR NATION. EVERY INDIVIDUAL OF THE IS NO LESS THAN STRATEGIST, GOOD AND EFFCIENT USER OF THEIR SKILL YET WHEN IT COMES TO THE NATION THEIR SACRIFICE SIMPLY GOES WASTE AT THE COST OF THIS NASTY POLITICIANS. SHAME ON YOU BLODDY ..POLITICIANS.. TO HELL WITH YOUR POLITICS.
The Editor,Jay Bharat….All,It is possible the terrorist attacks in Mumbai from Pakistan ISI (terrorist) with Chinese Govt?Do you think it both Govt. Play Game with INDIA ???ThanksRD
All such things are happening very frequently because of our week government and right political will. I strongly feel that politicians who blamed police for jamia encounter are equally responsible for this attack. Their vote bank politics is paralysing our security and sake of the country. A quick action from prime minister is desired to let our people know the way government feels about it. Foreign hand is there but we are aware of this fact for years let us see what government is doing to overcome such attacks. I am not going to vote this government if they continue with their same old crap ie foreing hand.
This kind of horrific tragedy will continue as long as the world lets some nations host, sponsor and train these evil intolerant people.In this case we need to tell Pakistan that they will either wipe out the Taliban or the world will boycot Pakistan in every way.The so called democratic Government of Pakistan is doing everything in it's power to facilitate the ever growing power of extremists.The tragic and needless death of so many people in Mumbai demands that the entire world stop doing business with Pakistan. No Grants, No Food, No Aid, No travel entry, No banking tranfers. It's time to cut them off from the world until the evil they allow is eradicated.
Hello i am express my fillings hear cause u know Mumbai terrer attack. This is the time to ur goverment take action against terrist camp in pakistan. If they r not take action futher they can try another attck.
HOT PURSUIT REQUIRED into the POK is the logo...Let's sacrifice ourselves doing this. Atleast our future generations would be happy. Do our politicians really care about this? NO..THEY DONOT, UNTIL IT'S ELECTION TIME
The immediate concern of the Indian Government after every such attack has invariably been to distance the local Muslims from responsibility for the acts (foreign hands, alternately Paki and B'deshi) and to appeal to maintain communal peace. It's never got beyond these two puerile pre-occupations and address terror as terror pure and simple. As long as we see terror as 'Islamic terror' and not simply as an abominable expression of aggression against the state, we will continue to be guided by comedians in a vaudeville show condemning the 'dastardly act' and getting back to their petty concerns.
Now its extreme phase. we have to think about our security policy. terrorism is not not only a mettar of internal security it is constantly attacking psychology of people of this democratic nation. now people are used to it but central and state governments, police forces and also human commission has to be united to fight and initiate some steps otherwise security, society, economy and deemocratic value will be ruined in very near future. its time to change.
This is worst work and very ugly figure of terror.Action must be taken against its and its origin pakistan.
Yet again India was attached the frenzy reactions by the media and our rulers would be there for a few days, the memories of indians are short they would forget it sooner. Any one who loves the country now would demand 'HOT PURSUIT" across the border to permanently eradicate this menance. when USA can invade afghanistan and iraq to defend their soverginity why cant we, but our rulers like always would let us down. i appeal to those who love this country to force this government to purse HOT PURSUIT across the border. Things are different in Pakistan now but ISI is still the same. The hot pursuit would also help pakistan to eradicate terror in their own backyard.
It is the Time to act. US bombed Afghanisthan for 9/11 attacks. But our Spineless and power hungry politicians in parliment could not hang the person who attacked the temple of Democracy. it is high time our Corrupt and selfish politicians start thinking of the innocent citizen who are voting for them instead of there vote banks.LET THEM ACT OR RETIRE FROM POLITICS. WE CANNOT SACRIFICE ANY MORE OF OUR BRAVE SOLDIERS FOR THE DEEDS OF OUR COWARD POLITICIANS.
lets not think of strengthning the security and all. Its time to go offenssive and strick across the border. Our politicians should quit cowardice and become aggrssive.
High Time to implement strict laws like POTA and there should be no mercy policy with the terrorists or militant outfits. The Home Minister should resign. The Police and military should be provided with high technology weapons and gadgets.
MY HEARTIEST DEEP CONDOLENCE TO THE VICTIMS OF MUMBAI ATTACKS. ALL THE INDIANS / NRIs MUST GET UNITED INCLUDING YOUNGSTERS IN LARGE NUMBERS TO FIGHT AGAINST TERRORISM / TO PREVENT TERRORISM AND HELP GOVERNMENT IN A PROFEESIONAL WAY. WE MUST BOOST OUR ECONOMY TO STRENGTHEN OUR NATIONAL SECURITY INFRASTRUCTURE. MOST IMPORTANT IS "CHANGE WE NEED IN POLITICAL SYSTEM". "CHANGE WE NEED IN OUR EDUCATION SYSTEM". JAI HIND! VANDE MATARAM!
I strongly agree with Deepak, and the nation of india should enforcde it's defenses... I express my deep condolences for the victims of this catastophy.
Worthless men on a killing spree targetting innocent people seeking glory and honour in the names of their religion with the blessings [sic] of their God/Goddesses
My heart goes to the families of dead and as well brace soldiers like Mr Karkare ,but what policy makers are doing , politicking and thinking winning elections.May bemore time should have been given to intelligence and other dangers than looking into lap tops of Purohit and Pandey , not that they should be forgiven if they have mademistakes but that danger is already known what about unknown assialants like inMumbai.Strick lwas , stricter punishment , invasine intelligence only way.God bless ourcountry and all Indians.
Hope Shiv Sena/Maharstra navnirman Sena do not call a Bundh in support of these Terrorist's. It is Political parties like these that nuture Terrorisim
It is so ridiculous that people are killing each other.As an Indians we have to think together to find a remedy for terrorism.What is the point to kill others.One we have to think we all are human beings.
seriously guys, come to think of it.. why would someone kill ATS chief. and that in the heat of the moment. coming on the heels of the exposure of the culprits of Malegaon blast and the due revelation of known notoriuos leader, mainly of the BJP, RSS, Bajrang Dal and VHP parties, in the days to come. Everyone knows Hemant Karkare was threatened a fe days back. and of course, we all know why and who did it. there's no use just hiding the plain truth and blaming abstract groups like 'deccan mujahideen' etc etc. Bah..Humbug! it's all happeneing in front of our eyes, politics is deep shit, u knw. what we know is just the tip of the iceberg. i desperately wish all these old crooked bas**rd politicians are caught off the hook, and a new young youthful democracy replaces. its time we youth take the reins of this country. its high time we unite....!!
Mr. Karkare died a martyr's death trying to defend the people of Mumbai and all of us salute him for his bravery. Mr. apache appears to ignore the fact that Mr. Karkare was shot because he dared to lead from the front against the terrorists. For those who shot him, he was just the enemy. Therefore, alleging the role of BJP or other Hindutwa forces in his death is just politicizing. Indeed, there were reports of threat to his life. But, so far it is not established from whom the threat was. It could very well have been the same terrorists who attacked Mumbai made that threat in order to divert the attention from them. Just because the BJP and other Hindutwa forces were critical against the ATS in the Malegaon blast enquiry, it does not necessary mean that the threat had come from them. Let the investigators do their job without outside influence and reserve your comments till the truth comes out.
i agree with you apache this may be one of the reason
The Bombay attacks indicates the need of strong laws like potta .we have a request to our politicians who are playing minority politics please do not gamble with the life of the people .
we should firstly look at providing our soldiers, policemen etc with proper gear and infrastucture. if you noticed, the first batch of policemen to go in including mr.hemant karkare were wearing meagre half sleeve shirts with sleeveless bullet proof vests. i mean, this is the team heading directly into the line of fire of these unstable terrorists!are they not deserving of some proper stuff? if not our military then to whom???why are we not taking the dangerous position they are in seriously?only the later batches that came to the site some 18 hours later had on proper gear.. that's too late. we needed it at the start!