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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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i blame to media for this all. Terrerist wanted terror in India and thats why after all incident they readly take the responsibility. Media will then telecaste it for the full day in different flavour till everyone in the damn world knows that there is a group which is causing problem. The intension of terrorist group is fulfilled. Cant our media be a bit more responsible and highlight the peaple who are working against them to make the faith of common peaple strong that we are still united and safe.
I just want to ask Mr Raj and Mr. Udhbav MUMBAI TO AAPKE BAAP KI THI PHIR YE SAB KAISE HO GAYA . I AM SURE THIS MUST BE DUE TO NORTH INDIAN????? M I RIGHT SIR??????
understand the world situation.... good advise from sri lanka. i'm sri lankan
All the Indians across the country strongly condemn this act of terrorism in Mumbai and hope the government of India to act strongly not cowardly to stop this series of terrorist attacks in each and every part of the country. If the government is not able to curb this then please resign and have a presidential rule in this country to combat terrorism. How many more lives will be sacrificed? How many more innocent people will we let die without any reason? It is also the time to spot all the political parties along with the government of India to stop the vote bank politics and the war of allegations on each other and the time has come to act for the safety of the nation. Without making unnenessary statements let us fight untidely to find a way out these acts of terrorism from this holy soil for the sake of our motherland and for the sake of lives of innocent people of this country.
All such attach are pre planned and oranised by the intelligent. Why HEMENT KARKARE was killed.Then HINDU terrosit group in definately involved. NO DOUGHT. BE AWARE
This is happens when we fight among ourselves, outsiders get a chance to take advantage. Come on lets unite not only for the time being but for eternity
We currently have the most weak-kneed, spineless government in history! Despite so many attacks on the country by terrorists, the UPA is only pursuing its self-serving political ends to divide the country further. It's brand of politics of letting major issues lie down while pursuing emotional and sectarian politics with an appeasement agenda is costing the country lives and more! The Congress's irresponsible handling of terrorists ( Afzal Guru, being just one case) and allowing divisive elements such as PDP to foster with in the country is only resulting in lives, chaos and insecurity for the common man. Democracy may have its flaws, but flawed parties with ulterior agenda need to be booted out! We need stern and visible measures against these terrorists groups, not half measures and lip service! India's intelligence is able enough to detect and identify such attacks. A spineless fiddling HM Patil ensures that such events do happen despite warnings, at the cost of commoners lives!
All we can say after every Attack keep calm. Keep Patience. Let us follow non violent means,let us get ready to keep calm after next attacks. Leave all the people who are arrested for terrorist attacks. After all we should forgive them to keep Botherhood and secular fabric of India Alive. Let us continue this till Hindus turn into Minorities so that we can accept some reservations and be at the mercy of the Majority community then.
It is shocking to note that Terrorism has raised its ugly head again even before the country recovered from the recent ones. Almost, it has become a daily affair. It is quite evident that the security of the country itself is at stake leave alone a common man. In spite of it assuming alarming proportions day by day, our netas seems to have never learned a lesson from the series of attacks in the past. Instead they are spending time in politicizing even sensitive issues like terrorism for vote bank, which clearly indicates the lack of political will to be proactive to deal the cowardly act of terrorists with an iron hand. Apart from that failure of all political parties to stand united, lack of determination among the intelligent agencies, incapable police and unmitigated corruption among other things have made the tasks of terrorists easier. Unless they enjoy internal support terrorists can't execute their tasks on a regular basis.
You dont need to be a muslim to be a terrorists. They come in religions, colours and nationalities. And no matter who they are, they dont deserve any mercy. So let's not hate muslims. Indian muslims are our brothers too.
The two sects of people to blame for these horrible attacks are the Netas and Media!!! The Netas think only of votes and Media of cheap sensational news.GOD SAVE US AND BHARAT MATA.
Where is Raj Theckeray now, "his" Mumbai has been attacked, he is hiding like a pussy, All he can do is "beat up" our very own North Indian brothers.Shame on Raj
what impact has the jamiat islami's issuing of fatwa had on the islamists?the jamiat held it's widely publicised conference in HYDERABAD and reportedly the terrorists this time have also come from HYDERABAD.
oh my dear media,please say that this was a fake encounter,that the ATS chief was killed by his own colleagues for the "innocent boys",the "misguided boys" can't kill anyone,right?????
Cut off the heads ot this bloody terrorists.. They dont deserve life... Destroy the country creating this terrorists... pls.. We are paying very high for this terrorists
where is raj thacrey he was calling himself as boss of the mumbai now what happen where he is now send his marathi people to save the life of innocent people.......i think all this is happening because of raj thacrey
Clearly,our govt's priorities are all mixed up. Inspite of so many terror attacks, we are yet to see a holistic and workable policy on terrorism. We should give up nuclear/moon missions and become more rooted to the real needs of the people. My suggestion let's throw all the politicians past and present, out in the coming general election. India clearly needs a different focus.
i think its a very bad news to hear about mumbai..... but i think our mumbai police must be invole in that see terror cannot come to indian without police help an i think police is helping terror to enter indian with weapons ..... now i think that mumbai police should stop crime shout every criminal that the only way to clean mumbai city ..... police should stop taking money from crime
Wake up INDIA ! Yesterday Delhi ! Today Mumbai ! What Internatinal Community is doing in hours of our distress? To HELP US
Terrorism in all hues and colors should be contemned .even political violence on innocents amounts to terrorism .Had MNS workers access to the deadly weapons they would have killed more than 100s easly.UPA is talking about distancing itself with terrorist organizations and communal forces where in states like kerala they are in alliance with Communal parties with suspectable terror links . and they have Cabinet rank ministers in UPA government .Terrorism in all forms will stay as a reality and we keep producing innocent martyrs and victims until politicians appease these elements.
The entire Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) were deployed behind one Sadhvi and ond Lt. Purohit, fabricate false allegations against them, harass them and get something out of them by force, only to gain political milage to Congress party, leaving behind the security and safety of the entire state and the people. Now the nation had to pay the price for that. But still the congress govt. must be feeling relaxed that they were able to bring some bad name to hindus and hinduism which is the congress's main objective. Unless and until the people of the country realizes that congress and the pseudo-secularists are the biggest threat to the country today, we will suffer this way. How the terrorists were able to reach Mumbai by sea? Why no coast guard and security? Where are they? It is high time that people throw out this anti-national congress govt. immediately, if we want to live safely in our country.
Hello, this is important, regarding the mumbai police, and I will try to keep it shortI am a doctor (Dr Swaroop R, 919986256084), I want to request you to inform somehow, the Mumbai police, the importance of having to be careful in their operations. There must be absolute alertness and it may have reduced since they have been engaging the terrorists in a prolonged operationRest is essential for them to perform optimally, and to avoid being shot while not being alertIf in case the seige goes on prolonged and then, I SUGGEST THE USE OF MODAFINIL 100mg tablets, once every 4hrs starting when the policeman shows signs of clear cut fatigue and disorientation.MODAFINIL CAN BE A MILITARY lifesaver, it is proven by french, american and some modern militaries to be way better than caffeine and amphetamines in improving vigilance...I sincerely beleive, modafinil can improve alertness and reduce casualties among the police, nsg and army.
Whom ever they are, they all should be killed. they deserve no mercy.
I really agree with that point. They should be shot and fininshed then and there because the law mechanism in the country is really a big failure. They will get away. India should learn a lot from developed countries. Instead of just emulating fads and fashion. More stringent laws should be implemented and most importantly, corruption has to end. How could these terrorists armed with such hi tech weapons enter the country? Surely they might have bribed the officials to enter. Untl corruption ends and the police wakes up - SUFFER INDIA.
UPA, Congress, and other parties... please do something to stop these violences.