Indian special forces battle terrorists in bid to rescue Bombay hotel hostages
Suspected terrorists are seen in Mumbai
(Maharahstra Times/AP)
The armed men launched their attacks in brazen fashion, failing even to cover their faces
Image :8 of 8
Rhys Blakely and Jeremy Page, Bombay, and Philippe Naughton
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Updated at 20.21 GMT (01.51 Bombay)
Indian commandos fought Islamic militants for control of two Bombay hotels tonight to save dozens of foreigners trapped or being held hostage inside. Guests and workers rescued from the hotels said that bodies were littering the corridors, suggesting that the final death toll from the al-Qaeda-style terror attacks could continue to climb.
It emerged this evening that Andreas Liveras, a British shipping magnate, was among the dead. The businessman, who featured on this year's Sunday Times Rich List, had earlier given an interview to the BBC saying he was trapped with a big group hiding in the basement of his hotel.
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Multimedia
* Video: from the scene
As the country's Prime Minister blamed forces "outside the country" for last night's co-ordinated attacks, the Indian Navy boarded and searched a cargo ship recently arrived off Bombay from Pakistan.
Police said 119 people have been killed in the attacks, including at least six foreigners. The Foreign and Commonwealth office confirmed today that a British national was among them.
The gunmen slipped into the city on two small boats last night, mooring near the Gateway of India monument before fanning out across the southern part of India's financial capital. Carrying assault rifles, hand grenades and explosives, they hit targets including a hospital and a bar popular with backpackers and tourists.
They also stormed the city's two most famous luxury hotels, including the landmark Taj Mahal Palace that is a favourite watering spot for the elite of Bombay and Bollywood. Witnesses said that they tried to find British and American visitors to take hostage.
The latest death toll stands at 119 - with more than 300 injured, including seven Britons. Among the foreigners killed were an Australian, a Japanese and an Italian.
Mr Liveras, 73, the British victim, was in the Taj hotel’s restaurant when the attacks began.
“As soon as we sat at the table we heard the machine gun fire outside in the corridor," he said in an interview from his mobile phone shortly before he died.
"We hid ourselves under the table and then they switched all the lights off. But the machine guns kept going and they took us into the kitchen, and from there into a basement, before we came up into a salon where we are now.
"There must be more than 1,000 people here. There are residents and tourists and locals. We are not hiding, we are locked in here - nobody tells us anything, the doors are locked and we are inside. Hotel staff are helping us a lot, providing water and sandwiches - but nobody is eating really, people are frightened.
"At this moment it's very quiet. The last bomb exploded about 45 minutes ago and it shook the hotel up. Nobody comes in this room and nobody goes out and we don't really know.
"All we know is the bombs are next door and the hotel is shaking every time a bomb goes off. Everybody is just living on their nerves."
It is unknown exactly what happened next but within hours Mr Liveras had been pronounced dead with multiple gunshot wounds at the city's St George's hospital.
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Multimedia
* Video: from the scene
Bombay’s police chief said earlier today that the Taj hotel had now been cleared of militants, but it was rocked by loud blasts and gunfire this afternoon as security forces moved through it.
Crowds cheered outside another luxury hotel, the Trident-Oberoi, as black-faced commandos moved in. Around 30 people were thought to have been taken hostage and at least 100 others were trapped in their rooms. Smoke poured from an open window of the hotel and gunshots rang out.
Survivors told harrowing stories of close encounters with the gunmen and described how they saw dead bodies piled up in the hotel. One man rescued from the Taj said that the hotel's trainee chefs had been massacred in the kitchen.
Brooke Satchwell, an Australian actress who starred in the television soap Neighbours, said she narrowly escaped the gunmen by hiding in a bathroom cupboard at the Taj, where she was staying for a film shoot.
"There were people getting shot in the corridor. There was someone dead outside the bathroom," the actress said. "The next thing I knew I was running down the stairs and there were a couple of dead bodies. It was chaos."
Commandos had also gathered outside a Jewish centre where a rabbi from the ultra-Orthodox Chavad-Lubavitch outreach group was being held hostage, but apparently decided against an assault.
A militant holed up at the centre phoned an Indian television channel to offer talks with the government for the release of hostages, but also to complain about abuses in Kashmir, over which India and Pakistan have fought two of their three wars.
"Ask the government to talk to us and we will release the hostages," the man, identified by the India TV channel as Imran, said, speaking in Urdu in what sounded like a Kashmiri accent. "Are you aware how many people have been killed in Kashmir?"
The attacks were claimed by a previously unknown group, the Deccan Mujahedeen, which demanded the release of all Mujahideen, or Islamic holy warriors, in Indian jails. The co-ordinated attacks bore the hallmarks of al-Qaeda, but there was no sign of any formal link with the terror network.
One militant inside the Oberoi-Trident, identifying himself only as Sahadullah, told an Indian television station by telephone: "Release all the mujahideens, and Muslims living in India should not be troubled."
Manmohan Singh, the Indian Prime Minister, said that the terrorists had "external linkages". "It is evident that the group which carried out these attacks, based outside the country, had come with single-minded determination to create havoc in the commercial capital of the country," he said.
But Pakistan's leaders strongly condemned the attacks and the militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba, which is often accused of fomenting unrest in India, denied any involvement.
The Indian Navy boarded a cargo ship five kilometres off the Bombay coast. A Navy spokesman said that the MV Alpha had recently arrived in Bombay from the Pakistani city of Karachi.
Britain and the US led global condemnation of the attacks. Gordon Brown said that he had sent Mr Singh a message assuring that "the UK stands solidly with his government as they respond, and to offer all necessary help".
"These outrageous attacks in Mumbai will be met with a vigorous response," he said.
There was similar condemnation of the "horrific" attacks from the US State Department. President-elect Barack Obama said it showed the need for Washington to work with other nations to "root out and destroy terrorist networks".
A number of airlines cancelled flights to Bombay, among them Italy’s flag-carrier Alitalia and Germany’s Lufthansa.
But from the UK, flights operated as normal despite a Foreign Office statement advising Britons against travel to the city. British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Air India and Jet Airways were all still flying.
*Foreign Office phone line for concerned relatives: 020 7 0080000
Page 2 of 2
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* Have your say
India has nothing against any western country. In fact, an ordinary Indian goes out of his way to make our guests feel welcome. The world will soon know where these terrorists came from. They are definitely not Indian.
Ashish Deodhar, Lancaster, UK
To Colin, Carmarthen, United Kingdom
3,000 people die every year on Britain's roads. Have you given up driving?
The UK stands shoulder to shoulder with India against terrorism.
Richard, London, UK
To all those people who object to the old name "Bombay", I would like to say, as one born and brought up in the city, that Bombay is the city in which all differences of religion and background were forgotten. That city still lives in ours hearts, even after it having been renamed.
Rajan Mehra, Bombay, India
Terrorism where ever and when ever it rears its ugly face cannot be allowed to succeed in the achieving its political aims through violence. I hope all countries who share democratic values whether they are muslim, European, African unite to defeat it.
Lucy Sanderson, Haywards Heath, UK
Have been too India a few times with work. Always felt safe especially in Mumbai/Bombay. I would go again
Paul Y, wigan,
This is an atack on capitalism and it's trappings by a well organised group. The fundamentalists appear to have sailed from Pakistan in their own ship to land at Mumbai. The scale of this assault is way beyond anything attempted before and seems to be turning their fight international if not global.
Colin, Carmarthen, United Kingdom
Being pulled down into the realms hatred, despair and the urge for vengeance is not the answer to terrorism. Showing each other the best of our nature is. How about doing something kind, wherever you live, to make life a bit better for a friend, neighbor or stranger. That's how we win! Jai Hindi
geoffrey , clearwater, usa
Im a Muslim...and Im so sad to seen what happen in India.
Mifta, Surabaya, Indonesia
Time for the expertise of the SAS to be brought in!
Paul, Bedford, uk
Thanks Mr Bush for making the world a safer place !
jayil, london, uk
I was very shattered on hearing this news. This kind of incidents have become common in india..the disturbing fact is that it is being carried out in the name of religion and on earlier instances not many muslim leaders have condemened this making people believe that terrorists have their support
Ram, cardiff, UK
Westerners are the usual targets in most countries. Remember Bali ? Istanbul ? Madrid? . Its wrong to single out one country. In fact Mumbai will be back on its feet soon and business will be as usual. The spirit is strong.
Bala, Boston, USA
Rec colin
Perhaps we should forgoe trips to america and britain as well given the atrocities committed by terrorists in those countries a few years back.
Don't be so foolish, and give the terrorists a chance to dictate to you where you can and can not go.!
Mr Chuds, bristol, UK
Terrorism is affecting almost every significant nation in the world now, but I hope that the Govt. of India takes some solid action this time, having missed the chance in 2003 after the parliament attack & send a strong message to those who have no respect for human lives - Brits,Americans or anyone
SAURABH, Singapore, Singapore
My question is being a British Citizen living in Delhi and a rare visitor to the Taj Mumbai for tea.
What the hell our Europan MP's were doing staying in the Taj hotel in the first place, this is a 5* hotel, one of the best in India...prices are $800 upwards for a basic room. A cup of tea is $20!
richard, Delhi, India
I hope that the terrorists are not reading news reports about their situation. If there are, then well done for telling them what may be about to happen.
There should be a complete news blackout on resultions to specific hostage situations until the security services say otherwise.
Marc, Antrim, N Ireland
I really don't think thats the major issue here Colin.
Hannah , London,
Correct me if I'm wrong, but should The Times not be referring to the city by it's correct name - 'Mumbai'?
Andrew Abbott, Lancaster, UK
Whilst what's happened is awful, it's worth remembering that the UK is on a higher terror alert than India.Living in London & using the tube everyday, I technically have a higher chance of being caught up in a terrorist attack here than when I go to S. India at the end of Dec. And I intend to go.
Claire Hodd, London, UK
I'll still be going back next February, and my friends will still, no doubt, be going at Xmas. At the moment though, I hope and pray for a quick end to this terrible situation in Mumbai, for all those affected by it and for calm in India's communities.
MrMobs, Nottingham, UK
Why is it only the Times insist calling this city 'Bombay'?
c.s.athauda, london,
"Is it just me or does what we can see of the "Indian security commando"' look more Caucasian than Indian? "
Have been watching the news all day and they're all Indian - part of the NSG.
Tanya, Mumbai,
My friends and I had tea at the Taj Mahal Hotel as backpackers a few years ago. The staff were wonderful. My sympathies to the families of those who have been killed, and I will be going back to India. Sorry Colin.
Judy, Soton,
The world should show their commitment by staying with INDIA which is a great country . As a citizen of India , i can tell with pride that , this is a country which wont let down by this cowardly acts . We should fight terrorism together , Thanks for the west for showing support for us .
rengith, Bangalore , India
Colin of Carmarthen, attacks happend in UK, USA and other western countries. Does that mean we stop going there too!! Show courage rather than getting scared by these idiot bunch calling "Holi War".
Bhavesh Patel, London, UK
A few days ago The Independent carried a story about false flag bombings which had infact been carried out by Indian Hindu terrorists. The existence of Hindu terrorism was said to have caused shock and outrage - mentioned even by the Prime Minister. Who knows who's behind what any more?
Dorothy, Birmingham Small Heath,
wonderful job being done by the defence personal and the media have been extremly well disiplined in what they are saying on air wonderful, our support is with u. Maru good job!
Uma, Pune, India
Is it just me or does what we can see of the "Indian security commando"' look more Caucasian than Indian?
Guy, London,
I agree with Luke Nicolaides, and would include Kenya and Bali. Many of these terrorists will probably try to get to Britain where our soft judges will grant them asylum, or cushy prison sentences. Britain is currently the toilet for the terrorists of the world.
kerry livermore, London, England
To: Luke.
These guys don't seem to care about prison or death.This attack is far deeper and more fundamental than that.
It appears total in it's attempt to wipe out everyone they deem enemies. That includes all westerners and western style interests. A suicide action for their beliefs.
Colin, Carmarthen, United Kingdom
Why are not 'moderate' Muslims (the religion of peace) totally outraged by the moral depravity of their co-religionists? Why are they not deeply offended by this humiliation of Islam?
Barry, Cambridge,
Colin's reaction is exactly the reaction the terrorists want. Life is full of dangerous situations and random events. You can spend your life avoiding exotic and 'troubled' locations and then choke to death on a peanut. Carry on visiting India people. Dont let a few idiots speak for a whole Country.
Phil Mann, Newcastle upon Tyne,
As a tactic, just how destabilising is this for the entire region?
Unbelievable.
Jez W, Leeds,
Well Im going off to backpack India in February come hell or high water. A few random attacks do not bother me in the least. India is a great destination.
Andrew Lewis, Aberystwyth, Wales
I agree with PB, and absolutely condemn the attacks, these will not only affect Muslims living in India but peace loving Muslims around the globe specially in the west.
I being one can confirm these detrimental affects..
Adeel, Essex, UK
The 2006 Mumbai train bombings, killing over 200 and injuring over 700, amongst countless other atrocities, surely flagged the Islamic militant issue in India. We should show solidarity rather than run from a problem which affects us every bit as it does India, and tourism is as good a way as any.
Kevin, London,
India is taking every effort to rescue each and every civilian inside the hotels, putting the NSG, the most elite force into action. Some of the brightest cops lost their lives in the operation. India expects the rest of the world to act with empathy and is grateful to every kind of such support.
Praveen Kumar, Chennai, India
Won't put me off doing business there. Long live democratic India!
John, Sandwich, Kent
Can't you read it as gunmen hunting for humans? All those shot dead are humans irrespective of nationality.
Manojkumar K, Liberton, Scotland
Colin of Camarthen's fear is justified, but terrorism happens in the UK, too and it's actually indiscriminate. The attackers might have singled out Westerners, but far more Indians died. That they have stated "Muslims living in India should not be troubled" is stupid - we all know where this leads.
PB, London, UK
Where is safe then Colin? There have been terrorist attacks in the USA, Egypt, Spain, Glasgow, London and even Exeter! At least any terrorists the Indians capture can look forward to prison that is actually tough punishement, rather than some 5 star hotel with Sky TV.
Luke Nicolaides, London, UK
Gunmen hunting for Brits and Americans! India is no longer a destination. Both backpackers and middle-England retirees will be thoroughly warned off their adventure holidays with this going on.
Colin, Carmarthen, United Kingdom
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