Commandos begin operation at Taj hotel

Mumbai, Nov 27: National Security Guard (NSG) commandos have entered Mumbai's landmark Hotel Taj in their bid to flush out terrorists. The death toll in what is presumably the biggest terror attack on India has increased to 101 while 200 people injured.

Minutes after the NSG commandos entered, fresh firing was heard. Some foreigners, reported to be Israelis, have been taken hostage after a night of terror targeting 10 places in the country's financial capital. The recent reports claim that firing is still on at the Nariman House. Some reports add that hostages have been freed in Colaba. The commandos have also reached Trident Hotel (formerly Oberoi) in South Mumbai to flush out terrorists holed up there. A fresh blast has been heard from the hotel. According to recent reports, terrorists have positioned themselves on the 19th floor of the Oberoi hotel. Two terrorists have been killed in the Oberoi.

Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh said five police officers including Anti-Terror Squad chief Hemant Karkare were killed in one of the worst terror strikes in the country's financial capital that in all claimed the lives of at least 11 police personnel.

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister R R Patil said that there was not any intelligence on the incident. According to Patil, nine suspected terrorists have been arrested.

Gallery: Terrorism in India

There is no official information on the number of terrorists holed up in Taj, as some reports put the number at five and some at seven.

Fire and smoke is still seen billowing from the hotel as firemen struggled hard to rescue over 100 people still trapped inside.

Five suspected terrorists were killed in two separate incidents overnight including two during a gun battle in the country's iconic landmark Taj hotel, police said.

Little known Deccan Mujahideen has claimed responsibility for the terror strikes in e-mails sent to some media organisations.

Schools and colleges across the metropolis will remain closed today.

In the wake of the attacks, Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) and National Stock Exchange (NSE) will stay closed today.