Death toll in India terrorist attacks rises to 125
Three Americans are among the more than 325 injured in Mumbai. As many as 30 may still be held hostage a day after assailtants target two hotels and other tourist sites as well as police.
Lorenzo Tugnoli / AFP/Getty Images
Reporting from Mumbai, India, and Beijing — An uneasy nightfall came to Mumbai after a chaotic day of gunfire and explosions in which the toll in the coordinated terrorist attacks rose to 125 dead and more than 325 injured, according to official reports. The injured included three Americans.
Indian officials said as many as 30 people could still remain hostage in one of two luxury hotels involved in the still-unfolding drama, one day after militants pounced on India's financial capital, storming several public places, including a Jewish center, train station and hospitals.
Indian military commandos continued to exchange fire with an unknown number of militants. Nine suspects reportedly were in custody. The attacks apparently targeted American, Israeli and British citizens for use as hostages, the officials said.
The dead included at least one Australian, a Japanese and a British national. A dozen police officers also were slain, including the head of Mumbai's anti-terrorist unit.
Throughout the day, U.S. officials in India checked with local authorities and hospitals to learn the extent of casualties involving Americans.
A solemn Prime Minister Manmohan Singh addressed the nation by television this evening, pledging that the militants "would not succeed in their nefarious design."
A short while earlier, President Bush telephoned Singh to express his condolences and offer assistance to India as it works "to restore order, provide safety to its people and comfort to the victims and their families, and investigate these despicable acts," according to a White House spokeswoman.
President-elect Barack Obama's transition team issued a statement condemning the attacks.
The violence began Wednesday evening as militants invaded two luxury hotels favored by foreigners, the Taj Mahal Palace and the Oberoi, firing automatic weapons, throwing grenades and sending panicked guests scrambling for safety and trapping others inside the hotels for hours.
Several witnesses said the gunmen demanded to see passports from cornered guests, separating American and British tourists from the others.
The victims included Mumbai's anti-terrorism chief, Hemant Karkare, and two of his senior police officers, which complicated the law enforcement response to the attacks. Television video showed Karkare donning a flak jacket and helmet minutes before heading into one of the hotels.
