At least 80 people were killed tonight and 20 Westerners taken hostage as suspected Islamic terrorists mounted a series of co-ordinated attacks on India’s financial capital.UPDATE: Little known Islamic group claims responsibility:
The gunman, armed with automatic weapons and grenades, targeted British and American tourists in the city’s luxury hotels and bars. They were reported to be holding Western tourists hostage at the Taj Mahal Palace, Bombay’s top hotel, where a group of British MEPs were staying.
As a swathe of violent incidents swept across the south of the city, hitting at least nine locations, security sources said “a major terror attack” was unfolding. A senior police officer said that “terrorists have used automatic weapons and we have reports that in some places hand grenades have been used”.
“We have reports of 80 people dead and at least 900 injured. Many have serious injuries and the toll will go up,” said P.D Ghadge, a police officer in the main control room in Mumbai. Hemant Karkare, chief of the police anti-terrorist squad in Bombay, was among the victims. Police said two terrorists had been killed.
Shootings were reported in the lobby of the five-star Taj Mahal Palace hotel in the Colaba area of south Bombay and at the nearby Leopolds bar, a popular destination with western backpackers. Witnesses described pools of blood and bullet-scarred walls at both locations.
“I guess they were after foreigners, because they were asking for British or American passports,” said Rakesh Patel, a British witness who lives in Hong Kong and was staying at the Taj Mahal hotel on business. “They had bombs.”
“They came from the restaurant and took us up the stairs.”
At the nearby Oberon hotel, a regular meeting place for businessmen and wealthy tourists, witnesses described a “high intensity” bomb blast.
A media report says a little-known group, the Deccan Mujahideen, has claimed responsibility for the Mumbai terrorist attacks.UPDATE: 80 dead, 900 hurt.
The Press Trust of India news agency said Thursday the group sent emails to several media outlets.
Teams of heavily armed gunmen attacked a crowded train station in southern Mumbai and Leopold's restaurant, a well-known Mumbai landmark, along with the two hotels and a police station.
UPDATE: Indian troops closing in on gunmen:
The Indian army reportedly is closing in on two luxury hotels where dozens of people were being held hostage in Mumbai, India, after attacks by terrorist gunmen who, eyewitnesses said, appeared to be targeting Americans and Britons.UPDATE: Terrorists specifically targeting Americans and Brits:
There were reports of new attacks on one hotel, the Trident, and gunfire at another, the JW Marriott. The Army was moving into the Oberoli hotel, according to local television reports.
Police were battling the gunmen, Maharashtra Police Commissioner A.N Roy said.
"The terrorists have used automatic weapons and in some places grenades have been lobbed," Roy said.
Westerners were rounded up in at least two five-star hotels, including the exclusive Taj Palace, which were among seven targets stormed by men armed with AK-47 machine guns and grenades.
Witnesses said the terrorists, thought to be linked to Al-Qaeda, were specifically targeting British and American visitors.
PHOTOS
Photo of alleged terrorist involved in the attack
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