Bloody Hell in Mumbai

In a blatant reflection of growing impunity, terror perpetrators armed with heavy machine and rapid fire rifles, and grenades struck high profile targets in the commercial capital, Mumbai. The hyper-busy CST rail terminus; the iconic Taj Mahal Hotel at the Gateway of India, the plush Oberoi Trident at Nariman Point, the domestic Santa Cruz airport; the Cama and GT hospitals near CST, the Metro Adlabs multiplex and Mazgaon Dockyard were targeted in a concerted effort to spawn mayhem and trigger paranoia, leaving at least 80 dead and wounding over 900.

The attacks took their toll on the city's top police brass: The high-profile chief of the anti-terror squad Hemant Karkare was killed; Mumbai's additional commissioner of police (east) Ashok Kamte was gunned down outside the Metro; and celebrated encounter specialist Vijay Salaskar was also killed.

The attacks appeared to be aimed at getting international attention as the terrorists took upto 40 British nationals and other foreigners hostage. The chairman of Hindustan Unilever Harish Manwani and CEO of the company Nitin Paranjpe figure on the terror hostage list at the Oberoi. All the internal board members of the multinational giant were reported to be holed up in the Oberoi hotel.

Two terrorists were reported holed up inside the Oberoi Hotel. Fresh firing has been reported at Oberoi and Army has entered the hotel to flush out the terrorists.

An unknown terror outfit, Deccan Mujahideen, claimed responsibility for the attacksin an email message to news organizations.

The Army and Navy in Mumbai were put on alert. 65 Army commandos and 200 NSG commandos were reportedly rushing to the Mumbai, informs Home Minister Shivraj Patil.

The Navy commandos are assisting the police.

Some media reports attribute the attack to Lashkar-e-Taiba. There were also unconfirmed reports that some of the terrorists came in by sea. A boat laden with explosives was recovered off the Gateway of India, early on Thursday morning

Well after midnight, sources said two of the terrorists were shot and wounded at Girgaum in south Mumbai. The two were driving in a silver-coloured Skoda car. Earlier, these men had sprayed bullets from a police Bolero, outside the Metro Adlabs multiplex.

The attacks occurred at the busiest places. Besides hotels and hospitals, terrorists struck at railway stations, Crawford Market, Wadi Bunder and on the Western Express Highway near the airport. Several of these places are within a one-km radius of the commissioner of police's office.

"This is definitely a terrorist strike. Seven places have been attacked with automatic weapons and grenades. Terrorists are still holed up in three locations Taj and Oberoi hotels and GT Hospital. Encounters are on at all three places," said Maharashtra DGP A N Roy.

St George's Hospital and G T Hospital are reported to have received 75 bodies and more than 250 injured, additional municipal commissioner R A Rajeev said. Bombay Hospital got two bodies and 30 injured people were admitted there; Cooper Hospital, Vile Parle, got three dismembered bodies.

Three of the deaths occurred inside the Taj and one G T Hospital attendant died in a shootout inside the hospital. There were reports of people cowering under tables and chairs at both the Taj as well as G T Hospital.

Train services at CST were suspended and all roads leading to and from south Mumbai were blockaded.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh cut short his Kerala visit and was returning to Mumbai. He described the situation in Mumbai as "very serious".

Army Moves in to Oberoi, Taj

Army commandoes moved into the luxury Oberoi and the Taj Mahal hotels early on Thursday to flush out terrorists that continue to hold several foreign nationals hostage.

Four 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.

Maharashtra deputy chief minister R R Patil said nine suspected terrorists have been arrested. Schools and colleges were ordered shut.

"The operation (by security forces) is still going on," he said. Besides army commandoes, naval commandos and Rapid Action force personnel joined in the operations to rescue those stranded in the two hotels. Five columns of Army and 200 NSG commandoes have been rushed. Two sten guns have been recovered by police so far, he added.

The chief minister said the Taj and Oberoi is not in control yet. He said there are no terrorists in Cama hospital which was also targeted by gunmen.

Police reported that some hostages were still being held at the Taj Mahal and Oberoi with eyewitnesses saying the gunmen had targeted foreigners after they kept shouting: "Who has US or UK passports?" Several guests were also stuck.

Fire was still raging in the old wing of Taj hotel several hours after it was rocked by five to six blasts and enormous clouds of black smoke rose from the the century-old edifice on Mumbai's waterfront.

Train Services at CST Resume (Update)

Trains resumed plying normally early on Thursday at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST), nearly six hours after it was closed following a series of terrorist attacks in Mumbai.The Mumbai Patna Express train left at around 4 am from the railway station, which was besieged after suspected terrorist launched yet another series of planned and synchronised attacks in the heart of India's financial capital around midnight Wednesday, officials said.Among the seven terror targets was the CST, formerly known the Victoria Terminus - one of the city's two busiest railway stations that is a World Heritage site.

Pak Disbands ISI Political Wing

Attempting to free democratic processes from Military clutches, Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on Wednesday night officially announced the winding up of the political wing of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). According to a report carried in ‘The Dawn’ a leading English daily in the neighbouring country.

In a press release issued on Wednesday night, the prime minister confirmed new reports about the disbanding of the wing and hoped that the move would improve ISI’s effectiveness.

A couple of months ago, an abortive attempt had been made to bring the intelligence agency under the control of the interior ministry.

A notification was also issued in this regard, but the decision was held in abeyance for unspecified reasons.

Analysts said the winding up of the agency’s political wing from the ISI hierarchy would have far-reaching effects on national politics.

The ISI has been accused of being actively involved in ‘monitoring and managing’ political activities inside and outside the government and ‘making or breaking’ political parties and alliances for over the past three decades.

It is learnt that the decision would help the ISI tackle more pressing issues like handling crucial aspects of the war against terror.

Although the ‘wing’ was accused of being associated with several controversial activities in the past, including the creation of an anti-Benazir Bhutto alliance called the Islami Jamhoori Ittehad (IJI) in 1988, more recently questions were raised about the role it played in the 2002 general elections, helping former president Pervez Musharraf to achieve his political objectives and form a coalition government by merging a few factions of the PML.

Mumbai Attack Bombs Congress Hopes in MP

Akbar Khan

Coming hours before polling was scheduled to commence in 230 constituencies of Madhya Pradesh, the audacious attack on Mumbai, which continues at the time of filing this report, has bombed Congress hopes of returning to power in this BJP ruled state, as the macabre assault on the country is bound to weigh heavy on voters mind as they key in their preference this morning.

The BJP through its state-wide campaign has blistered the Congress over its alleged laxity on terror, and the Mumbai attack according to the ruling party in Madhya Pradesh is a fall-out of the lack of an effective anti-terror mechanism.

Facing a severe onslaught from the BSP and BJS in the state, that vowed to polarize the ruling party vote banks, and a latent Congress campaign, the ghastly attack on Mumbai may trigger greater poll percentages across the state, a trend that is almost sure to see the BJP negate its anti-incumbency, BSP and BJS factors.

Closer home in Bhopal, the development and the following insecurity in minority voters is likely to embargo the major exodus of minority vote-banks that threatened local strongman Arif Aqueel, who is contesting the election on a Congress ticket.

For the first time in his career spanning nearly three decades, the Aqueel campaign faced severe anger from minority voters in the old city areas that openly campaigned for BJP first-timer Alok Sharma.

In Narela, prospects of SP and BSP candidates Syed Abdul Jaleel (Shiraz) and Izhar Ahmed will be hurt by the development as the 80,000 odd minority voters in the area are now bound to stick to a time tested political principal, the Congress.

Elsewhere in the state, the BJP is sure to use its offices to ‘internally’ attempt to raise poll percentages and as the day progresses heavy voting may be seen in poll stations across the state.

On his maiden electoral turf, the attack in Mumbai dooms Suresh Pachauri’s carefully planned campaign that counted on two-sided polarizations, anti-incumbencies and dissentions to levitate his party to power, in what till yesterday seemed to be a 'low scoring match'.

(at 0800 hours IST)

Sound Bytes: Condemnations Pour in over Mumbai Attack

The global community came out strongly in support of India on Wednesday, as she reeled under the impact of one the worst terror attacks on her soil late on Wednesday night in Mumbai that killed at least 80 and wounded another 900.The United States and Britain led the condemnation.

The United States said the attacks were "horrific", while US President-elect Barack Obama pledged to work with India to "root out and destroy terrorist networks".

UN chief Ban Ki-moon said such violence was "totally unacceptable", while Britain condemned the late Wednesday attacks on its former colony as "outrageous" and the European Union expressed its "horror and indignation".

One British guest at the Taj Mahal hotel told television reporters. "They said they wanted anyone with British and American passports."

The United States and Britain said they had no reports of casualties among their citizens, although Japan reported one of its nationals killed and another hurt, and two Australians and a European Parliament staffer were also injured.

Washington condemned the "horrific" attack and the White House said it had convened a meeting of top intelligence and counter-terrorism officials in response, and stood "ready to assist and support the Indian government".

Obama's chief national security spokesman, Brooke Anderson, said the president-elect's prayers were with the victims and their families.

"These coordinated attacks on innocent civilians demonstrate the grave and urgent threat of terrorism," Anderson said.

"The United States must continue to strengthen our partnerships with India and nations around the world to root out and destroy terrorist networks."

UN Secretary General Ban also condemned the attacks, saying: "Such violence is totally unacceptable."

"The secretary-general reiterates his conviction that no cause or grievance can justify indiscriminate attacks against civilians. He calls for the perpetrators to be brought to justice swiftly," read a statement issued by his office.

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said he had sent Indian premier Manmohan 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.

The French presidency of the European Union said it had learnt of the attacks "with horror and indignation" and "condemns them in the strongest possible terms".

It said the EU "shares in the mourning of the Indian nation and stands by its side during this dramatic test".

In a separate statement, the EU's executive arm, the European Commission, said: "Terrorism is never justified and is no means to achieve any goal."

"This is a cowardly act. It's indiscriminate, it's a terrorist act, it's an assault on democracy," said acting Australian Foreign Minister Simon Crean.

Canada's Foreign Affairs Minister Lawrence Cannon condemned the "savage terrorist attacks" and stressed his country's ties with India.

"Canada and India share a commitment to freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law. Among our mutual priorities is close cooperation to promote international security and to fight terrorism," he said.

Spain's Crown Prince Felipe also voiced "tremendous sadness and condemnation of the attacks which seem to have left such a high number of victims".

Brazil reaffirmed its "strong condemnation of all forms of terrorism" and offered its condolences to the families of the victims, as did Argentina.

Colombia said that it had "also suffered at the hands of terrorism and supports the Republic of India in its fight against this international scourge, recognising that terrorism is a criminal and unjustifiable action".

Bangladesh's foreign minister condemned the coordinated attacks in India's commercial capital Mumbai as "cowardly" and "mindless acts of terror".

"I condemn it as mindless acts of terror. I wish to underscore that terror can serve no purpose. Our hearts are with those so many innocent people, Indians and foreigners, who have been affected by these cowardly bombings" he said.

(Agencies)

Suicide Bomber Targets US Embassy in Kabul

A suspected suicide bomber has struck close to the entrance to the US embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan, witnesses and police say. At least one person, reportedly a civilian, was killed, reports say the bomber detonated explosives about 200m from the heavily guarded entrance to the US compound.

Security in Afghanistan has become a key concern as the country faces an increasingly strong Taleban insurgency.

Kabul's police chief, Mohammad Ayoub Salangi, said one person had been killed and six injured.

However, the city's head of criminal investigations told reporters that four had died in the bombing.

The Associated Press said the US embassy was hosting a Thanksgiving Day event, and Americans and others foreigners were entering the compound at the time of the explosion.

Time to Rise above Politics: BJP

BJP leaders LK Advani and Rajnath Singh after months of blistering the Congress over its handling of the internal security situation, on Thursday said the party will refrain from being critical of the government at this juncture in view of the Mumbai terror strikes which it termed a "national crisis".

BJP chief Rajnath Singh spoke to party Prime Ministerial candidate LK Advani this morning over phone from Jaipur and decided "not go critical" of the government on the issue "in this time of crisis", the party said.

The party also asked the people to rise above political affiliations and stand by the security forces in their fight against terror.

"It is a time of national crisis. The country has been challenged. It is time for us to rise above politics. There is no government side or opposition side. Our top leadership has decided to stand by all steps to defeat the forces who challenge our sovereignty," BJP Vice President Mukthar Abbas Naqvi said.

TN Rains Kill 64

Cyclone Nisha was bearing down on the Tamil Nadu coast on Wednesday night as heavy rains lashed coastal districts, taking the death toll, in the havoc that started last month, to 64. with rains lashing the delta districts for the fifth consecutive day, authorities evacuated nearly 42,000 people from coastal hamlets and low-lying areas.

At least 22 people have been reported dead over the last few days alone, while more than 50,000 hectares of crops in the Cauvery delta districts were submerged and 64,000 hectares officially declared flood-hit.

As revenue officials in several districts moved into disaster management mode, the Met office said the cyclone lay 20km off the Nagapattinam district and was likely to cross the southern coast early on Thursday.

Chennai reeled under sheets of water for the second successive day. The sole casualty in the city was a man travelling in an autorickshaw, who was killed in the Shenoy Nagar locality when a tree fell on the vehicle. However, several deaths were reported from various parts of the state.

(Relief Web Inputs)

Bangkok Cut off: Second Airport Closed

The battering of Thailand continues Thursday as authorities were forced to shut down Bangkok's second airport after it was swarmed by anti-government protesters, the closure cut off the capital from the rest of the world as the prime minister rejected resignation demands, deepening the country's crisis.

Thailand's powerful army commander, who has remained neutral in the conflict, stepped into the fray Wednesday, urging Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat to step down.

He also asked thousands of protesters to end their siege of the main international Suvarnabhumi airport. It has been shut since Tuesday night, leaving hundreds of flights canceled and drawing world attention to a turmoil that has reduced Thailand to a dysfunctional nation.

The anti-government protests, which gathered pace four months ago, have paralyzed the government, battered the stock market, spooked foreign investors and dealt a serious blow to the tourism industry.

The crisis worsened early Thursday as authorities shut down the Don Muang domestic airport, which had been receiving some diverted flights from Suvarnabhumi.

A top airport official said, authorities feared that protesters might harm passengers and aircraft, thousands of tourists are stranded at the two Bangkok airports.

He said authorities might use the U Ta Pao air force base, 140 kilometers (90 miles) southeast of Bangkok, and were alerting airports nationwide to be ready to receive more diverted flights.

The closure of the two airports left thousands of foreign tourists stranded, including Americans trying to get home for their Thanksgiving holiday Thursday.

The protests are being led by a loose coalition known as the People's Alliance for Democracy. It accuses Somchai of acting as the puppet for former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted in a September 2006 military coup after being accused of corruption and abuse of power. Thaksin, who is Somchai's brother-in-law, is in exile, a fugitive from a conviction for violating a conflict of interest law.

On Wednesday, a district court ordered the alliance leaders and their supporters to immediately leave Suvarnabhumi International Airport, calling it "an infringement on other individuals who have freedom of movement."

However, the protesters are unlikely to heed the order -- a reflection of their boldness amid the government's unwillingness to use force for fear of causing bloodshed.

Still, Prime Minister Somchai, who returned from Peru on Wednesday but was forced to land in the northern city of Chiang Mai, is also not budging from his position.

Somchai said in an address to the nation that he came to power through elections and has "a job to protect democracy for the people of Thailand."

The statement amounted to a rejection of Army Gen. Anupong Paochinda's suggestion to quit, which seemed to put him on a collision course with the military, although the general has said he would not launch a coup.

Orissa House Adjourned after Pandemonium

Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik was left red-faced on Wednesday as Bharatiya Janata Party legislators disrupted proceedings in the Assembly reiterate their demads for the immediate arrest of the killers of Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader Lakshmanananda Saraswati.

Coalition Dharma notwithstanding, BJP legislators, part of the ruling alliance, rushed to the well and raised slogans. They criticised the government for its failure to arrest those involved in the assassination.

The pandemonium continued despite repeated requests from speaker Kishore Mohanty and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Raghunath Mohanty.

With the chaos continuing to prevail, the speaker adjourned house proceedings twice, with the MLAs repeatedly filling in the well. He adjourned the proceedings till Thursday.

The ensuing melee also saw legislators of the opposition Congress also rushed to the well, demanding the resignation of the Chief Minister. Opposition leader and veteran Congressman J.B. Patnaik said the Chief Minister should step down as the BJP had lost faith in the government.

Cracks in the ruling BJD-BJP alliance were visible on Tuesday, when the BJP boycott the joint legislature party meeting called by Chief Minister Patnaik.

Leader of the BJP legislature party Biswabhushan Harichandan informing journalists said his party was not satisfied with the action taken by the police in the case pertaining to the killing of the VHP leader.

The party was also unhappy over the issue of conversion. Lakshmanananda Saraswati and four others were killed at an ashram in Kandhamal district on August 23. The incident had led to widespread anti-Christian violence in the State.

The Crime Branch of the State police is investigating into the murder, and three suspected Maoists have been arrested.

Veerappan’s Widow Held in K’taka

Karnataka Police on Wednesday arrested Muthulakshmi, the widow of slain forest brigand Veerappan, in connection with TADA cases registered against her, a top police official said. Veerappan the notorious sandalwood smuggler was gunned down by Tamil Nadu police in a 2004 encounter.

"Muthulakshmi wanted in Terrorist And Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act (TADA) cases in 1992 and 1993 was arrested in the wee hours today," Additional Director General of Police (Law & Order) of Karnataka AR Infant was quoted as saying by PTI news agency.

Meanwhile, Muthulakshmi's father Aiyyanan (65) told media that his 43-year-old daughter was taken into custody by a team of Special Task Force (STF) personnel from Karnataka from her Ramnagar residence near Mettur dam, located in Tamil Nadu.

DSP (Mettur) said that the Karnataka police have informed the local police about her arrest. The police station at Karumalaikudal has been informed about her detention, Sivanandam told reporters at Mettur.

Sandalwood smuggler Veerappan was killed in an encounter with Tamil Nadu police in 2004.