Terrorists hit Mumbai

A trickle of bodies and hostages emerged from a luxury hotel yesterday, as Indian commandoes tried to free people trapped by suspected Muslim militants who coordinated a series of attacks on at least 10 targets in India's financial capital of Mumbai, killing 104 people.Â

More than 300 were also wounded in the brazen attacks late Wednesday night by bands of gunmen, who invaded two five star hotels, a popular restaurant, a crowded train station, a Jewish center and at least five other sites, armed with assault rifles, hand grenades and explosives.

A top policeman said Indian troops were fighting their way through the financial and entertainment capital's famous Taj Mahal Hotel but told Agence France-Presse "we are in the final stages of operations."

As Hürriyet Daily News & Economic Review went to press yesterday, some 200 people were still believed trapped in another five-star hotel, the Oberoi/Trident. A previously unknown Islamic militant group, Deccan Mujahideen, claimed responsibility for the carnage, the latest in a series of terror attacks over the past three years that have dented India's image as an industrious nation galloping toward prosperity.

Among the dead were at least one Australian, a Japanese and a British national, Pradeep Indulkar, a senior government official, told The Associated Press. An Italian and a German were also killed, according to their foreign ministries. Officials said eight militants were also killed.

A trickle of bodies and hostages emerged from a luxury hotel yesterday, as Indian commandoes tried to free people trapped by suspected Muslim militants who coordinated a series of attacks on at least 10 targets in India's financial capital of Mumbai, killing 104 people.

More than 300 were also wounded in the brazen attacks late Wednesday night by bands of gunmen, who invaded two five star hotels, a popular restaurant, a crowded train station, a Jewish center and at least five other sites, armed with assault rifles, hand grenades and explosives.

A top policeman said Indian troops were fighting their way through the financial and entertainment capital's famous Taj Mahal Hotel but told Agence France-Presse "we are in the final stages of operations."

As Hürriyet Daily News & Economic Review went to press yesterday, some 200 people were still believed trapped in another five-star hotel, the Oberoi/Trident. A previously unknown Islamic militant group, Deccan Mujahideen, claimed responsibility for the carnage, the latest in a series of terror attacks over the past three years that have dented India's image as an industrious nation galloping toward prosperity.

Among the dead were at least one Australian, a Japanese and a British national, Pradeep Indulkar, a senior government official, told The Associated Press. An Italian and a German were also killed, according to their foreign ministries. Officials said eight militants were also killed.

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

India's Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, meanwhile, said the attackers had come from "outside the country," and also warned "neighbors" who provide a haven to anti-India militants ? seen as veiled reference to arch-rival Pakistan.

"The well-planned and well-orchestrated attacks, probably with external linkages, were intended to create a sense of terror by choosing high-profile targets," Singh said , according Reuters.

The attackers, dressed in black shirts and jeans, were shooting wildly, but they knew exactly what sort of guests they intended to take hostage. "They told everybody to stop and put their hands up and asked if there were any British or Americans," Alex Chamberlain, a British guest at the Oberoi/Trident Hotel, told AFP after fleeing his captors via a fire escape.

Among those foreigners held captive were Americans, British, Italians, Swedes, Canadians, Yemenis, New Zealanders, Spaniards, a Turk, a Singaporean and Israelis.

Magnus Ranstorp, a terrorism specialist with the Swedish National Defense College, said there are "strong suspicions" that the coordinated attacks have a link to al-Qaeda. "There have been a lot of warnings about India lately."Â

Worldwide anger

World leaders expressed anger and horror yesterday, as fears grew over foreign hostages.  U.S. President George W. Bush called Indian PMto express condolences and offer support. President-elect Barack Obama said attacks showed the need for the United States to work with other nations to "root out and destroy terrorist networks."

British PMGordon Brown sent a message assuring that "the UK stands solidly with his government as they respond, and to offer all necessary help."  Despite the remarks of Singh, Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari  "stressed the need for taking strict measures to eradicate terrorism from the region".

NATO Secretary General blasted the "despicable" raids. U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon said the violence was "totally unacceptable". The EUexpressed "horror and indignation" after European parliament members were caught up in the carnage.