PRAYER ALERT: Indian Official Declares Seige Ended at Mumbai Hotel; Hostages Released at Three Sites; Indian Officials Probe Possible Pakistan Connection

Aimee Herd : Nov 27, 2008
Telegraph UK, BBC, FOX News

UPDATED 13:12 PST, 11/27: Some of the latest reports from India stated that two of the last three gunmen were killed, and that 70 hostages have been rescued at the nearby Trident Hotel, but a fire reportedly continued to burn there and in the adjacent Oberoi hotel.

According to US State Department officials, at least three Americans were injured in the terrorist attacks that swept through Mumbai, India, Wednesday night.

There were unofficial reports that a few Americans may be among the 119 people so far reported killed in the attacks, but there was no confirmation of that. The terrorists were said to be targeting westerners; Americans, Britons and also Jews.

UPDATED 9:46 PST, 11/27: According to a FOX News' report: Indian officials say commandos are engaged in a fierce gunfight with terrorists holding an unknown number of hostages inside the luxury Oberoi-Trident hotel complex in Mumbai.

Police have taken several people out of the two-hotel complex, one of three buildings where gunmen are still holding hostages in country's financial capital. (Photo: REUTERS)

The roof of the Oberoi hotel was ablaze as a result of explosions inside the building.

? Indian officials say the death toll in the attacks rose to 127, with more than 335 people injured.

Several freed hostages reportedly told Indian authorities that there are many more bodies inside the Taj Mahal hotel, and there are fears the death toll could climb much higher.

This news story is developing, refresh page occasionally for updates.

UPDATED 6:57 PST, 11/26: According to the latest report: "An organization calling itself the Deccan Mujahideen claimed it was behind attacks in the nation's financial capitals, which began late Wednesday night. Nine suspected terrorists had been caught, India's NMTV reported, and two were killed."

**National Phone hotline number for US citizens who may have family in Mumbai: 888-470-4747**

UPDATED 1pm PST, 11/26:The terrorist attacks in Mumbai, India are being described as "coordinated" and "simultaneous." Death count has unofficially risen to 80 people. There are accounts of Western hostages still being held, but there is no evidence as yet of any being US citizens.

(Earlier today)?According to a report from BBC and FOX News, several locations in Mumbai, India have come under attack by heavily armed gunmen. (Photo: AP)

There are "unconfirmed reports [that] said 80 people had been killed, and more than 250 [were] injured." At least seven different locations were targeted by terrorists including the railway station, two five-star hotels, a hospital and a restaurant.

The gunmen were said to be looking for "foreigners" such as either British or US citizens. Some of the attackers are believed to still be holed up in one of the hotels and may have Western hostages.

This news story is developing, refresh page occasionally for updates.

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