Multiple terror attacks in southern Mumbai - at least 100 dead, hundreds injured and counting
Follow the links below for news on this night's horrific terror attacks in Mumbai's tourist centre Colaba. As was the case with the Delhi blasts a few years earlier, the attacks target areas where foreigners are known to congregate, but 90% of the victims so far have been locals. All of this bloody mayhem goes on in the place where I have spent most of my time in Mumbai. On my table I have a folder with photos from this exact area that I took when I was there in April this year. My heart cries for all the people I know there and who are caught in this unbelievable chaos. And if experience serves us well, this incident will only fuel the already tense situation between ethnic and religious groups in the area. The targets so far have been the CST train station, Cama hospital, the Nariman House, Taj Mahal Hotel and the equally luxurious Oberoi on the other side of the harbour. Initial reports from Indian news sources tell us that apparently Hindustan Lever was having a large meeting of some sort with "bureaucrats and industrialists" at the Taj when gunmen stormed the building. Also Leopold's Café, a landmark on Colaba Causeway frequented by many tourists, has been attacked. As morning comes to Mumbai, hostage situations and gunbattles still rage in several places in the city, and the Taj is still in flames. However, a state representative of Maharashtra now claims to have "the situation under total control." The special forces of the police and the army have surrounded the three hotels, and live reports tell of ongoing rescue operations at these sites. The attacks have taken place in nine sites throughout the city.
The Mumbai stock exchange, the airport and all schools and colleges have all been shut down until further notice.
Responsibility for the attacks has been taken by a hitherto unknown group calling themselves the Deccan Mujahideen - the word Deccan referring to the geographical area of Maharashtra state. The operation is rumored to have included many attackers who sought out foreigners, particularly U.S. and British citizens. The attackers are said to have come in from the seaside. So far, 9 attackers have been caught and 5 killed.
The head of the Mumbai anti-terror police squad was killed in gunbattle, as was 'encounter specialist' Salaskar, who has 80 confirmed kills of Mumbai gangsters under his belt. 9 other officers have been killed so far.
ENDS
Links
http://edition.cnn.com/
http://politiken.dk/udland/article603720.ece
http://broadband.indiatimes.com/toivideolist/3761413.cms
http://www.mumbaimirror.com/article/15/2008112620081126225737871602ddf01/Mumbai-under-seige-Maharashtra-under-red-alert
http://blog.foreignpolicy.com/node/10392
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