Indian Army moves in restore order after attacks at upscale hotels, train depot
Last update: 9:40 p.m. EST Nov. 26, 2008
HONG KONG (MarketWatch) — Gun battles continued in at least three locations in Mumbai early Thursday in the wake of a terrorist attack overnight on nine sites frequented by foreigners that left at least 87 people dead and more than 250 injured.
The gunfire erupted after the Army moved into Mumbai to assist police in rooting out the terrorists who attacked at least nine locations in India’s financial capital, including two luxury hotels and the city’s busiest commuter railway station, according to reports.
The terrorists were believed to be holding at least 15 hostages, including seven foreigners at the luxury Taj Mahal Hotel.
At least 87 people were reported killed and another 250 injured in the attacks, which reportedly targeted Westerners, particularly Americans aside and Britons. A shadowy group calling itself Deccan Mujahideen reportedly claimed responsibility for the attacks.
“It is a very serious situation and gun battles are still on in at least three places,” said Vilasrao Deshmukh, chief minister of Maharashtra state, of which Mumbai is the capital, according to the Website of CNN-IBN news channel.
The report added that 11 police officers, including the head of the Anti-Terrorism Squad, were among the 87 people killed in the synchronized attacks.
The coordinated attacks began about 10:30 p.m. local time, according to media reports.
CNN reported that a group calling itself Deccan Mujaheddin claimed responsibility for the attacks, though analysts told CNN “that may be a front name to throw investigators off.”
Earlier, CNN reported that gunmen were holed up in the city’s swank Taj Mahal and Oberoi hotels and were locked in gun battles with local police.
The military reportedly entered the Oberoi, and a large explosion was heard shortly after, according to CNN. Local police have killed four of the suspected attackers and captured nine, the Associated Press reported, citing Indian officials.
Some 15 foreign hostages were being held at the Taj Mahal, the online edition of The Wall Street Journal reported. Half of them had U.S. or British passports, according to CNN. In addition, a hostage situation was “unfolding” at Cama Hospital, CNN reported.
Three foreigners, including a Belgian and an Indonesian, also were taken hostage at the Trident hotel, which is connected to the Oberoi, the Journal reported, citing local media.
There were five shootouts and two grenade attacks, according to the news network’s report, CNN said. The attacks were concentrated in the upscale Colaba district in the southern end of the city, the Journal reported. The Taj Mahal hotel and Oberoi hotel are a short distance from each other at the southern tip of the city.
According to the Web site of CNN-IBN, an English-language Indian TV news channel, rescue operations were under way and “several” hostages were rescued.
Evacuations:
The attacks appear to be centered on locations popular with foreign visitors, while most of the injured were police officers. One attacker was believed to be holed up in the railway station, where thousands have been evacuated.
An online report in the Journal quoted Mumbai police commissioner A.N. Roy as saying the police are treating the attackers as terrorists who “opened fire indiscriminately.” STORY CONTINUES AT: Market Watch News.