New Explosions Rock Mumbai Hotels

[tekisui]

MUMBAI, Nov. 27 (UPI) -- New explosions rocked a pair of Mumbai hotels Thursday as Indian security forces battled to free hostages taken during terrorist attacks, observers said.

A loud blast shook the Oberoi Hotel where scores of special Indian police officers were working to free four to five foreign hostages held on its 19th floor, CNN reported.

And at the nearby Taj Mahal Hotel, where police were going floor to floor to flush out terrorist gunmen, a new explosion was also heard, the broadcaster said. Indian officials said about five gunmen were believed to be hiding in the Taj Mahal Hotel.

Separately, commando units battled gunmen at the Nariman House in the fashionable Colaba area, which is a favorite of Israeli tourists. TV reports said there were eight to 10 Israelis at the location.

As police struggled to get the hotels under control, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh told reporters he believed those behind the attacks were based outside the country and probably had "external linkages."

Officials Thursday set the casualties from the attacks at 101 killed and 314 wounded. CNN said at least nine gunmen were killed along with as many as 11 other police officers.


http://www.upiasia.com/Top_News/2008/11/27/Singh_Mumbai_attackers_from_outside_India/UPI-46361227734380/

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It's unclear if these explosions are from the attackers or from the military.