Mumbai rocked by series of fatal shootings

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Wednesday, November 26, 2008 | 4:45 PM

Mumbai rocked by series of fatal shootings

India's financial capital was in chaos Wednesday after armed gangs

opened fire at several popular tourist sites, including two five-star

hotels, killing at least 78 people and wounding more than 200 others.

The attacks also took place at Mumbai's crowded train station, at a

police station and at a well-known restaurant popular with

foreigners.

Two of the city's landmark hotels, the Taj Mahal and the Oberoi, were

targeted, officials said.

It appeared that the gunmen were specifically targeting American and

British nationals during the hotel attacks, but it was unknown if any

Canadians were killed or injured.

India's IBN TV reported that the gunmen were checking the passports

of captives at the luxury hotels in a possible bid to identify

foreigners.

Calls to the Department of Foreign Affairs in Ottawa weren't

immediately returned Wednesday.

Shortly after the hotel attacks, police engaged in a firefight with

the gunmen, officer A.N. Roy said.

" The terrorists have used automatic weapons and in some places

grenades have been lobbed, the encounters are still going on and we

are trying to overpower them, " Roy told The Associated Press.

Gunmen also opened fire at a police station in the city's south end.

" We are under fire, there is shooting at the gate, " Const. A. Shetti

told The Associated Press by phone from the police station.

The street battle continued to rage Wednesday afternoon. ny

ph, a government official for the region of Maharashtra, said at

least 90 people have been hurt and that the death toll could rise.

No terrorist groups have yet claimed responsibility for the attacks

and a motive wasn't clear Wednesday afternoon.

Janice Sequeira, a tourist who was eating at the Taj Mahal Hotel,

said the situation was frightening.

" It was like the sound of loud crackers, not one but several, we just

ran out of there, " she said. The AP reported that several European

lawmakers were staying at the hotel.

At least 200 people, including a " majority of foreigners, " along with

two Indian members of Parliament, were still stuck inside the hotel,

MP N.N.Krishnadas told IBN TV.

According to police, officials blocked off the Oberhoi hotel after

gunfire erupted inside. Local media said that two gunmen were still

inside the hotel, and that a commando operation had been launched.

IBN reported that several people may still inside the hotel, and that

police and army officials were preparing for a possible hostage

situation.

Meanwhile, armed men with AK-47 rifles and grenades had barricaded

themselves inside the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus train station,

local media reported. The attacks started around 10:00 p.m. local

time.

The Times of India reported that the city's police chief, Hemant

Karkare, and another top official were killed during firefights. The

newspaper also reported that 65 army commandos, bolstered by another

200 troops, were rushing to Mumbai to assist police, Home Minister

Shivraj Patil said.

The Press Trust of India, a news agency, reported that gunfire had

erupted at Leopold's restaurant, forcing customers to panic and flee.

Blood stains and bullet holes could also be seen at the site.

Mumbai has been targeted in several attacks since 1993, when Muslim

rebels bombed several sites in the city in retaliation for hundreds

of Muslim deaths during earlier religious riots.

In 2007, several massive bomb blasts ripped through commuter trains

and stations, killing 187.

Juneau-Katusuya, a former CSIS Intelligence Official, told

CTV Newsnet that the attacks could be part of an ongoing struggle

between the government and separatist rebel forces fighting for a

Kashmiri state.

Juneau-Katusuya added that Mumbai was likely targeted because it is

country's financial centre and a key tourist area. " They're trying to

scare away as much tourism as possible. "

Media reports said that the hotels had been on high alert since last

week.

According to DFAIT travel warnings, Canadians visiting India

should " exercise a high degree of caution " because of ongoing

terrorist threats.

" Canadians residing or travelling in India are strongly encouraged to

maintain a high level of vigilance, remain aware of their

surroundings, monitor local news reports, follow the advice of local

authorities, avoid crowded places, and take appropriate steps to

increase their personal security. "