Terrorist attacks in Mumbai [merged]

slumped wrote: »

Can't see this station but CNN and Sky reporting a hostage situtaiton in Mumbai all evening.

I trust its the same thing?

admiralofthefleet wrote: »

im going for an indian later, i hope the resteraunt doesnt get attacked

Mark200 wrote: »

Yeah the fact that 80 people have been killed in the shootings that are still going on is a great opportunity to crack jokes.....

Kiera wrote: »

What number is it on with the dodgy box?

*please note (garda) i dont not have one. Just asking a general question.

120_Minutes wrote: »

i heard it was a bunch of disgruntled 3 customers who had it up to here with 3 customer care and travelled over to sort them out.

Officials say at least 82 people have been killed, and at least 120 wounded, with an undetermined number of western hostages still being held.

Two Australians were among the 120 injured but their conditions were not life threatening, officials in Canberra said.

A previously unknown group calling itself the Deccan Mujahideen claimed responsibility for the attacks in emails to several media outlets, Indian media reported. (Read more about the group)

Mumbai police and gunmen were this afternoon still exchanging occasional gunfire at the Taj and Trident hotels, with an unknown number of hostages still held, top police official AN Roy said.

A raging fire and explosions struck the landmark Taj Mahal hotel shortly after midnight. Screams could be heard and black smoke billowed from the century-old edifice on Mumbai's waterfront.

The attackers specifically targeted Britons and Americans, witnesses said.

Early today, state home secretary Bipin Shrimali said four suspects had been killed in two incidents when they tried to flee in cars. Roy said two more gunmen were killed at the Taj Mahal. State Home Minister RR Patil said nine more were arrested.

Police said hostages were being held at the Taj Mahal and Oberoi hotels, two of the best-known upscale destinations in the crowded city.

Gunmen who burst into the Taj Mahal "were targeting foreigners. They kept shouting 'Who has US or UK passports?'" said Ashok Patel, a British citizen who fled from the hotel.

Authorities believe up to 15 foreigners are still being held hostage at the Taj Mahal hotel. The building's older wing has been ravaged by fire, but there is no blaze in its modern tower.

Officials at Bombay Hospital, speaking on condition of anonymity, said a Japanese man had died in hospital and nine Europeans had been admitted, three of them in critical condition with gunshots. All had come from the Taj Mahal, the officials said.

At least three top Indian police officers, including the chief of the anti-terror squad, were among those killed, said Roy.

Blood smeared the floor of the Chhatrapati Shivaji rail station, where attackers sprayed bullets into the crowded terminal.

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.

Gunmen also attacked Cama and Albless Hospital and GT Hospital, though it was not immediately clear if anyone was killed.

A Briton who was dining at the Oberoi hotel told Sky News television that the gunmen who struck there singled out Britons and Americans.

Alex Chamberlain said a gunman ushered 30 or 40 people from the restaurant into a stairway and ordered everyone to put up their hands. He said the gunman spoke in Hindi or Urdu.

"They were talking about British and Americans specifically. There was an Italian guy, who, you know, they said: 'Where are you from?'" and he said he's from Italy and they said 'fine' and they left him alone.

"And I thought fine, they're going to shoot me if they ask me anything - and thank God they didn't."

Chamberlain managed to slip away as the patrons were forced to walk up stairs, but he thought much of the group was being held hostage.

Early today, several European lawmakers were among people who barricaded themselves inside the Taj.

"I was in the main lobby and there was all of a sudden a lot of firing outside," said Sajjad Karim, part of a delegation of European lawmakers visiting Mumbai ahead of 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 via mobile phone.

Hours later, Karim remained holed up in a hotel restaurant, unsure if it was safe to come out.