can someone please get me up to speed on the situation in India?
CHANGEinWAVES
Posts: 10,169
I have no cable or internet atm (posting from my phone and its a pain to get news on here:rolleyes: ) I was just in a restaurant and saw the blurb of breaking news, but there was no sound. If anyone can fill me in please I'd appreciate it, I hate not knowing the news!
"I'm not present, I'm a drug that makes you dream"
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Fire engulfs a part of the Taj Hotel in Mumbai, India, Thursday, Nov. 27, 2008. AP – Fire engulfs a part of the Taj Hotel in Mumbai, India, Thursday, Nov. 27, 2008. Teams of heavily armed …
MUMBAI, India – Teams of gunmen stormed luxury hotels, a popular restaurant, hospitals and a crowded train station in coordinated attacks across India's financial capital, killing at least 82 people, taking Westerners hostage and leaving parts of the city under siege Thursday, police said. A group of suspected Muslim militants claimed responsibility.
Police and gunmen were exchanging occasional gunfire near dawn at two luxury hotels and an unknown number of people still held hostage, said A.N. Roy, a top police official.
A raging fire and explosions struck the landmark Taj Mahal hotel shortly after midnight. Screams could be heard and black smoke billowed from the century-old edifice on Mumbai's waterfront. Firefighters sprayed water at the blaze and plucked people from windows and balconies with extension ladders. By dawn, the fire was still burning, but had calmed considerably.
The attackers specifically targeted Britons and Americans at the hotels and restaurant, witnesses said. Officials said at least 120 people were wounded.
Alex Chamberlain, a British citizen who was dining at the upscale Oberoi hotel, told Sky News television that a gunman ushered 30 to 40 people from the restaurant into a stairway and, speaking in Hindi or Urdu, ordered everyone to put up their hands
"They were talking about British and Americans specifically. There was an Italian guy, who, you know, they said: 'Where are you from?" and he said he's from Italy and they said 'fine' and they left him alone. And I thought: 'Fine, they're going to shoot me if they ask me anything — and thank God they didn't," he said.
Chamberlain said he managed to slip away as the patrons were forced to walk up stairs, but he thought much of the group was being held hostage.
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 2006 that killed 187 people.
Early Thursday, state home secretary Bipin Shrimali said four suspects had been killed in two incidents when they tried to flee in cars, and Roy said two more gunmen were killed at the Taj Mahal. State Home Minister R.R. Patil said nine more were arrested. They declined to provide any further details.
"We're gong to catch them dead or alive," Patil told reporters. "An attack on Mumbai is an attack on the rest of the country."
An Indian media report said a previously unknown group calling itself the Deccan Mujahideen had claimed responsibility for the attacks in e-mails to several media outlets. There was no way to verify that claim.
Police reported hostages being held at the Taj Mahal and Oberoi hotels, two of the best-known upscale destinations in this crowded but wealthy city.
Gunmen who burst into the Taj "were targeting foreigners. They kept shouting: `Who has U.S. or U.K. passports?'" said Ashok Patel, a British citizen who fled from the hotel.
Authorities believed seven to 15 foreigners were hostages at the Taj Mahal hotel, said Anees Ahmed, a top state official. It was also unclear where the hostages were in the Taj Mahal, which is divided into an older wing, which was in flames, and a modern tower that was not on fire.
State Department spokesman Robert Wood said U.S. officials were not aware of any American casualties, but were still checking. He said he could not address reports that Westerners might be among the hostages.
"We condemn these attacks and the loss of innocent life," White House spokesman Tony Fratto said.
Johnny Joseph, chief secretary for Maharashtra state, of which Mumbai is the capital, said 82 people had been killed and 120 had been wounded.
Officials at Bombay Hospital, speaking on condition of anonymity, said a Japanese man had died there and nine Europeans had been admitted, three of them in critical condition with gunshots. All had come from the Taj Mahal, the officials said.
At least three top Indian police officers — including the chief of the anti-terror squad — were among those killed, said Roy.
Blood smeared the floor of the Chhatrapati Shivaji rail station, where attackers sprayed bullets into the crowded terminal.
Nasim Inam's hands shook when he spoke of seeing four attackers gunning down commuters as they walked to catch late trains home.
"They wore black T-shirts and blue jeans. They were carrying big guns," said Inam. "They just fired randomly at people and then ran away. In seconds, people fell to the ground."
Other gunmen attacked Leopold's restaurant, a landmark popular with foreigners, and the police headquarters in southern Mumbai, the area where most of the attacks took place. The restaurant was riddled with bullet holes and there were blood on the floor and shoes left by fleeing customers. Gunmen also attacked Cama and Albless Hospital and G.T. Hospital, though it was not immediately clear if anyone was killed.
Early Thursday, several European lawmakers were among people who barricaded themselves inside the Taj, a century-old seaside hotel complex and one of the city's best-known destinations.
"I was in the main lobby and there was all of a sudden a lot of firing outside," said Sajjad Karim, part of a delegation of European lawmakers visiting Mumbai ahead of a European Union-India summit.
As he turned to get away, "all of a sudden another gunmen appeared in front of us, carrying machine gun-type weapons. And he just started firing at us ... I just turned and ran in the opposite direction," he told The Associated Press over his mobile phone.
Hours later, Karim remained holed up in a hotel restaurant, unsure if it was safe to come out.
Britain's foreign secretary, David Miliband, strongly condemned the attacks. "Today's attacks in Mumbai which have claimed many innocent victims remind us, yet again, of the threat we face from violent extremists," Miliband said in a statement.
India has been wracked by bomb attacks the past three years, which police blame on Muslim militants intent on destabilizing this largely Hindu country. Nearly 700 people have died.
Since May a militant group calling itself the Indian Mujahideen has taken credit for a string of blasts that killed more than 130 people. The most recent was in September, when a series of explosions struck a park and crowded shopping areas in the capital, New Delhi, killing 21 people and wounding about 100.
Relations between Hindus, who make up more than 80 percent of India's 1 billion population, and Muslims, who make up about 14 percent, have sporadically erupted into bouts of sectarian violence since British-ruled India was split into independent India and Pakistan in 1947.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081127/ap_on_re_as/as_india_shooting
Mumbai rocked by deadly attacks
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7751160.stm
Gunmen have carried out a series of co-ordinated attacks across the Indian city of Mumbai (Bombay), killing at least 80 people and injuring 250 more.
At least seven high-profile locations were hit in India's financial capital, including two luxury hotels where hostages are reported to be held.
A fire has destroyed part of the Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai's most famous hotel, which is now ringed by troops.
Police said four suspected terrorists have been killed and nine arrested.
As day broke in Mumbai, the situation on the ground was still confused with reports of gunfire and explosions at between seven and 16 locations.
The city's main commuter train station, a hospital, a restaurant and two hotels - locations used by foreigners as well as local businessmen and leaders - are among those places caught up in the violence.
Commandos have now surrounded the two hotels, the Taj Mahal Palace and the Oberoi Trident, where it is believed that the armed men are holding dozens of hostages.
A BBC correspondent outside the Taj Mahal Palace said there had been a series of gun shots between police and the armed men, and that 11 officers were killed in the skirmishes.
Eyewitness reports suggest the attackers singled out British and American passport holders.
If the reports are true, our security correspondent Frank Gardner says it implies an Islamist motive - attacks inspired or co-ordinated by al-Qaeda.
See detailed map of the area
A claim of responsibility has been made by a previously unknown group calling itself the Deccan Mujahideen.
Our correspondent says it could be a hoax or assumed name for another group.
The motive is far from clear - but the attacks come amid elections in several Indian states, including in disputed Kashmir.
In the latest developments:
• Reports say five gunmen have taken hostages in an office block in the financial district of Mumbai
• Fire crews are evacuating people from the upper floors of the Taj Mahal Palace, from where smoke can still be seen billowing although the blaze has been extinguished
• The head of Mumbai's anti-terrorism unit and two other senior officers are among those killed, officials say
• The White House holds a meeting of top intelligence and counter-terrorism officials, and pledges to help the Indian government.
Gunmen opened fire at about 2300 local time (1730 GMT) at the sites in southern Mumbai.
Eyewitness reaction and local TV footage from the scene
"The terrorists have used automatic weapons and in some places grenades have been lobbed," said AN Roy, police commissioner of Maharashtra state.
Local TV images showed blood-splattered streets, and bodies being taken into ambulances.
One eyewitness told the BBC he had seen a gunman opening fire in the Taj Mahal's lobby.
"We all moved through the lobby in the opposite direction and another gunman then appeared towards where we were moving and he started firing immediately in our direction."
One British tourist said she spent six hours barricaded in the Oberoi hotel.
BOMB ATTACKS IN INDIA IN 2008
30 October: Explosions kill at least 64 in north-eastern Assam
30 September: Blasts in western India kill at least seven
27 September: Bomb blasts kills one in Delhi
13 September: Five bomb blasts kill 18 in Delhi
26 July: At least 22 small bombs kill 49 in Ahmedabad
25 July: Seven bombs go off in Bangalore killing two people
13 May: Seven bomb hit markets and crowded streets in Jaipur killing 63
International reaction
"There were about 20 or 30 people in each room. The doors were locked very quickly, the lights turned off, and everybody just lay very still on the floor," she said.
There has been a wave of bombings in Indian cities in recent months which has left scores of people dead.
Most of the attacks have been blamed on Muslim militants, although police have also arrested suspected Hindu extremists.
Mumbai itself has also been attacked in the past: in July 2006 a series of bomb attacks on busy commuter trains killed almost 190 people and injured more than 700.
Police accused Pakistan's intelligence agency of planning those attacks, which they said were carried out by an Islamist militant group, Lashkar-e-Toiba.
Pakistan rejected the allegation, saying there was no evidence that its intelligence staff were involved.
But the latest shootings come at a time when ties between India and Pakistan have improved.
Just days ago Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari told a summit in Delhi that Pakistan would not be first to carry out a missile strike on India.
The two countries have a joint anti-terror mechanism whereby they are supposed to share information on terrorist attacks.
If others wouldn't mind posting any updates thru-out the week I'd appreciate it... I don't get cable or internet till next week, and the local paper sucks!
Thanks again.
apparently, 07162056 is THE date...
it's not just upsetting, it's fuckin' bullshit. this shit just makes me so angry.
~D.K.S.
Troops confront Mumbai attackers
Indian security forces have been exchanging fire with gunmen holding dozens of hostages in two luxury hotels in the Indian city of Mumbai (Bombay).
Troops surrounded the premises shortly after armed men carried out a series of co-ordinated attacks across the city, killing 101 people and injuring 287.
The hotels were among several locations in the main tourist and business district targeted late on Wednesday.
Police say four suspected terrorists have been killed and nine arrested.
The situation is still volatile in two of the most high-profile targets of Wednesday's attacks - the Taj Mahal Palace and Oberoi Trident hotels, where armed men are believed to be holding about 40 hostages.
Flames and black smoke billow from the Taj Mahal Palace hotel, Mumbai
Attacks leave India reeling
Witnesses tell of violence
In pictures: Mumbai attacks
Are you in the area?
There are reports of intermittent exchange of fire between security forces and the armed attackers barricaded inside both hotels.
Correspondents say security personnel have so far not stormed the premises perhaps for fear of endangering the lives of hostages, some of whom could be Westerners.
There are also unconfirmed reports that five gunmen have taken hostages in an office block in the financial district of Mumbai.
The city's main commuter train station, a hospital, and a restaurant were among at least seven locations caught up in the violence.
In other developments:
• Fire crews evacuate people from the upper floors of the Taj Mahal Palace, where police say a grenade attack caused a blaze
• Israel says it is concerned for the safety of its citizens in Mumbai, as a rabbi and his family are feared captured by gunmen
• The head of Mumbai's anti-terrorism unit and two other senior officers are among those killed, officials say
• The White House holds a meeting of top intelligence and counter-terrorism officials, and pledges to help the Indian government
• Trading on India's Bombay Stock Exchange and National Stock Exchange markets will remain closed on Thursday, officials say.
See detailed map of the area
Gunmen opened fire at about 2300 local time (1730 GMT) on Wednesday at the sites in southern Mumbai.
Eyewitness reaction and local TV footage from the scene
"The terrorists have used automatic weapons and in some places grenades have been lobbed," said AN Roy, police commissioner of Maharashtra state.
Local TV images showed blood-splattered streets, and bodies being taken into ambulances.
One eyewitness told the BBC he had seen a gunman opening fire in the Taj Mahal's lobby.
"We all moved through the lobby in the opposite direction and another gunman then appeared towards where we were moving and he started firing immediately in our direction."
One British tourist said she spent six hours barricaded in the Oberoi hotel.
BOMB ATTACKS IN INDIA IN 2008
30 October: Explosions kill at least 64 in north-eastern Assam
30 September: Blasts in western India kill at least seven
27 September: Bomb blasts kills one in Delhi
13 September: Five bomb blasts kill 18 in Delhi
26 July: At least 22 small bombs kill 49 in Ahmedabad
25 July: Seven bombs go off in Bangalore killing two people
13 May: Seven bomb hit markets and crowded streets in Jaipur killing 63
International reaction
"There were about 20 or 30 people in each room. The doors were locked very quickly, the lights turned off, and everybody just lay very still on the floor," she said.
Eyewitness reports suggest the attackers singled out British and American passport holders.
If the reports are true, our security correspondent Frank Gardner says it implies an Islamist motive - attacks inspired or co-ordinated by al-Qaeda.
A claim of responsibility has been made by a previously unknown group calling itself the Deccan Mujahideen.
Our correspondent says it could be a hoax or assumed name for another group.
There has been a wave of bombings in Indian cities in recent months which has left scores of people dead.
The BBC's Sanjeev Srivastava says the timing and symbolism of the latest attacks could not have been worse.
By choosing to target the richest district of India's financial capital in such a brazen and effective manner, he says those behind the attacks have perhaps dealt the severest blow to date to the morale and self esteem of the Indian authorities.
The attacks have come amidst elections in several Indian states and exposes the governing coalition to the charge that it has failed to combat terror, our correspondent says.
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Thanks for the updates.
btw, i am not saying that packistand is involved i just hope india doesn't believe they are, so please no ripping into me.
- Soren Aabye Kierkegaard (1813-1855)
If you haven't got anything nice to say about anybody, come sit next to me."
- Alice Roosevelt Longworth (1884-1980)
We have a branch of our company that work in Mumbai, we received an email this morning saying that they and their families are all safe and well (good news) but they'll let us know if anything changes. It must be terrifying for them to have to think like that. The whole situation is so sad :(
My thoughts are with the deceased, their relatives, friends and those still caught in this horrible, horrible situation.
Jeremy1012 - I hope her phone is off and you hear from her soon.
... and I still think Drive-By Truckers are better.
Shit. We live in a messed up world where a hundred people can just be gunned down on the streets and in hotels. What a time to go travelling...
not to be a prick ... but if you don't have internet - what good are updates here for you?
as for the topic - the motivation for these attacks doesn't seem to be very clear right now ...
What's interesting is that while I was in Pune, there was a huge terrorist attack up north in another city where about 70 people were killed. I'm not sure what the big story was in the U.S. that week, but it certainly didn't get lots of press because my family didn't really know about it until I told them. But all major cities in India were put on high alert while I was there...scary time.
again...
... and I still think Drive-By Truckers are better.
religion did not shoot people people's perception of religion along with people shot people. rememeber peopel do have free will
- Soren Aabye Kierkegaard (1813-1855)
If you haven't got anything nice to say about anybody, come sit next to me."
- Alice Roosevelt Longworth (1884-1980)
free will is a dyslexic's favourite movie about a killer whale... thats how much free will actually means...
i.e. who gave you free will? god... is god NOT religion?
Yes, it was an inside job by the Indian govt. Part of their plan for a new world order.
Or maybe its the work of Bush..because everything is his fault.
You have to make sure the country has nothing to do with the terrorist attacks first.
Forgive me for my bad english
Name ONE religious text thats widely accepted as the word of GOD and tell me where in this text it says it's ok to oppress , kill ....... on and on the f'd up things humans do to one another.
Not today Sir, Probably not tomorrow.............................................. bayfront arena st. pete '94
you're finally here and I'm a mess................................................... nationwide arena columbus '10
memories like fingerprints are slowly raising.................................... first niagara center buffalo '13
another man ..... moved by sleight of hand...................................... joe louis arena detroit '14
Anyway the latest is over 150 killed. There are reports that the police are in control of the Taj Hotel, however this has been said before and then fighting would start up again... Opps never mind just reported that there are more shots fired at the hotel...
New numbers 160 killed 327 wounded....
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no GOd is not religion. religion uses God
- Soren Aabye Kierkegaard (1813-1855)
If you haven't got anything nice to say about anybody, come sit next to me."
- Alice Roosevelt Longworth (1884-1980)
More then 160 dead.:(
apparently this is the group responsible for the violence.
http://blog.foreignpolicy.com/node/10392
The chief of Mumbai's ATS was killed in a gun battle [during the fighting].