Hostage crisis at Nariman house, NSG to attack

Mumbai, Nov 28: Exchange of fire intensified at Nariman House, a residential complex with a Jewish prayer hall, where also a hostage situation was prevailing. There were unconfirmed reports of a similar situation in Cama hospital. Window panes on third and fifth floor shattered.

Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh said the situation was 'grave'. He remarked that the terrorists could have come by boats. One terrorist holed up inside Nariman House in south Mumbai was killed, says police. Six more ultras are suspected to be inside the building. Three hostages have been able to escape till now. Few people including some elderly people and children evacuated from the neighbouring building of Nariman House.

Maharashtra deputy chief minister R R Patil said nine suspected terrorists have been detained.

Five police officers, including Anti Terrorism Squad chief Hemant Karkare, were killed in the terror strikes that in all claimed the lives of at least 11 police personnel.

The motive for the onslaught was not immediately clear, but Mumbai has frequently been targeted in terrorist attacks blamed on Islamic extremists, including a series of bombings in July 2007 that killed 187 people.

Media reports said a previously unknown group calling itself the Deccan Mujahideen had claimed responsibility for the attacks in e-mails to several media outlets.

ANI