Gun battles raged between terrorists and commandoes and fresh explosions on Thursday rocked two luxury hotels -Taj and Trident (formerly Oberoi)- after a night of terror targeting ten places in the country's financial capital killed over 100 people and injured over 300.
Sharp shooters of army, NSG and other security forces moved into Mumbai's landmark hotels to overwhelm an unspecified number of terrorists still holed out there after several residents were rescued in the wee hours.
Police believe that the number of terrorists could be three or four.
Raging fire and plumes of black smoke were seen billowing from the central dome of the century-old heritage Taj hotel opposite the Gateway of India this morning as firemen struggled to douse them. A guest stranded in one of the rooms said two explosions shook the building.
Another luxury hotel Trident was under siege with some terrorists holding some foreigners hostage. A tourist guide was worried about the fate of five Canadians he had put up in that hotel. Earlier in the night, explosions were heard in the hotel.
Exchange of fire intensified at Nariman House, a residential complex with a Jewish prayer hall, where also a hostage situation was prevailing. There were unconfirmed reports of a similar situation in Cama hospital.
As last night's terror incidents spread a sense of panic and fear in the metropolis, schools and colleges were ordered closed and the Bombay Stock Exchange will not function on Thursday.
Suburban trains and city buses operated normally but without usual rush. Except for cancellation of three international flights, domestic air services to Mumbai were maintained.
Little known Deccan Mujahideen has claimed responsibility for the terror strikes in e-mails sent to some media organisations.
Maharashtra deputy chief minister R R Patil said nine suspected terrorists have been arrested.
Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh said five police officers including Anti Terrorism Squad chief Hemant Karkare were killed in one of the worst terror strikes in the country's financial capital that in all claimed the lives of at least 11 police personnel.
The Chief Minister said the terrorists came by boats. The terror attacks began between 9 pm and 9.15 pm with indiscriminate firing and bomb blasts, Deshmukh said.
Grenades were tossed by the terrorists who fired indiscriminately while storming the hotels, he added.
At least two sten guns have been recovered from the terrorists, the Chief Minister said.
"The operation(by security forces) is still going on," he said. Besides army and naval commandoes, Rapid Action Force personnel joined in the operations to rescue those stranded in the two hotels. Over 500 army personnel were moved from neighbouring areas like Pune and Deolali while 200 NSG commandoes were flown in from Delhi.
Deshmukh said it was not immediately known how many terrorists were involved in the audacious attack in ten places that shook the western metropolis. The chief minister said the Taj and Oberoi is not in control yet. He said there are no terrorists in Cama hospital which was also targeted by gunmen.
Eyewitnesses said the gunmen had targeted foreigners after they kept shouting: "Who has U.S. or U.K. passports?"
Fire was raging in the old wing of Taj hotel several hours after it was rocked by five to six blasts and enormous clouds of black smoke rose from the the century-old edifice on Mumbai's waterfront.
source: http://www.hindu.com/
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