Three blasts have been heard at Nariman House in early morning Friday in Mumbai, India, the last one is at 4:46 a.m. local time.
Earlier, seven terrorists were killed in commando operation at the Taj hotel. There are reports of fresh firing from inside the hotel. Army sources have told Xinhua that operation at Taj might go on till morning.
Director General of National Security Guard (NSG) JK Dutt said that one injured terrorist was still inside the hotel and it's a matter of time before the combing operation is over.
NSG commandos have now launched their final assault at the Trident hotel where fire has been reported on the top floor.
Seven hostages have been rescued from Nariman House which is reportedly surrounded by NSG commandos.
A fire breaks out of the dome of the Taj hotel in Mumbai, India, Nov. 27, 2008. All hostages at Taj Hotel have been rescued, but there could still be some people trapped at Trident Hotel and Nariman House where operations were on to flush out militants, Maharashtra police chief A N Roy said Thursday. Earlier on Thursday, blasts rocked Oberoi-Trident and Taj hotel. Combined forces of NSG, Navy, Army, Mumbai Police and Anti-Terrorist Squad have rushed to tackle an unknown number of militants hiding in various locations across the city.
Police said no more hostages were in Nariman House but two to three terrorists were suspected to be inside Nariman House.
All the security personnel, armed with sophisticated weapons and communication equipment, were put in strategic locations in all the three sites and are coordinating with each other.
Around 10-12 terrorists are still holed up in the Trident hotel and have taken many hostage. Some of them are Israeli and Canadian nationals. Seven people have been rescued from the Trident, two have been brought out on stretchers.
More than 100 people have been killed so far, including nine foreigners and at least 327 injured in a series of well-coordinated terrorist attacks in Mumbai.
Terrorists, who apparently came in by boats, struck at 10 places in south Mumbai including five-star hotels, hospitals and train stations.
Maharashtra Director General of Police A N Roy said, "There is no indication so far of the identity of the terrorists."
He said that the terrorists were highly armed, level of weapons and training suggest that they are not locals.
According to sources, terrorists have demanded the release of prisoners and ransoms. However, Ministry of Home Affairs has denied this, saying that the terrorists did not make any demand.
Four Navy ships and choppers have launched search over Gujarat-Goa seas. Navy and Coast Guard are conducting joint search for the ship that may have carried the militants.
Naval commandos have seized credit cards with photos of militants and grenades, AK 47 magazines, shells and knives from militants.
Earlier, NSG and Military Commandos entered the Taj and Trident hotels. Five terrorists have been killed. Several staff members at the hotels have also been killed, including two at Trident.
NSG Commandos launched operations in the Nariman House building in Colaba too. This was the second place that was attacked in Mumbai. Two men came on a scooter and hurled a grenade at nearby petrol pump.
Though the grenade missed the petrol reservoir, it destroyed a facade of the station. The terrorists then ran into Nariman House building behind petrol pump into a Jewish residential building. Here, the terrorists murdered two people and then went silent for several hours till early this morning. This is another place apart from the Taj and the Trident, which are under siege.
Policemen were able to successfully flush out terrorists from the Cama hospital and everything seems to be calm now. Curfew has been imposed at Colaba and Gateway of India. At least 800 Army personnel have been deployed at various locations in Mumbai.At least 14 policemen have been killed across the city, including the head of the Maharashtra Anti-Terror Squad Hemant Karkare, who was shot three times.
Well-known encounter specialist Vijay Salaskar is also dead. Additional Commissioner of Police Sadanand Date is in critical condition. Every top line anti-terror force in the country has been pushed into Mumbai including commandos of the National Security Guard, Marine Commandos and Army commandos.
There are also reports of low intensity blast in Ville Parle and grenade attack in Santa Cruz. Two blasts have been reported in Napean Sea road area of south Mumbai. Many foreigners have been held hostage by the terrorists.
"Gunmen took 15 hostages and half of them foreigners," said an eyewitness at Taj hotel.
"Gunmen wanted anyone with British or American passport," said another eyewitness. Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh said that around 20-25 terrorists entered Mumbai their nationalities are yet to be ascertained. Five terrorists have been killed so far, many escaped and one has been arrested.
An unknown organization called the Deccan Mujahideen has taken the responsibility for the terror attacks.
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister R R Patil said, "There is no plan for talks with the terrorists. Claiming to have some "vital leads", the minister expressed confidence of a breakthrough soon.
Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has addressed the nation and he also called an emergency Cabinet meeting. Home Minister Shivraj Patil is back in Delhi from Mumbai. Indian Cabinet Committee on Security met before the full Cabinet meet. The Prime Minister's election rally in Delhi scheduled for Thursday was also canceled.
Intelligence sources say that foreign hand is fully evident in these attacks. They have arrested a Pakistan national from Chowpatty area in the city. Police have seized a rubber boat, which anchored off Mumbai harbour. It all started with incidents of firing in Colaba and near CST station.
Meanwhile, train services have resumed at the CST station. Lufthansa, Northwest and Air France have canceled their flights.
On their part, hotels in Mumbai have been asked not to take new guests.
Source:Xinhua
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