Mass Shootings in Mumbai

78 People Dead and Hostages Taken at Taj Mahal Hotel

Gunmen have fired upon innocent people in various parts of Mumbai (Bombay) India, killing dozens and injuring many more.

Police are saying that the shootings appear to be co-ordinated terrorist attacks, and reports confirm that at least 78 people are dead and around 200 more have been injured. Hostages have also been taken at the Taj Mahal and Oberoi hotels.

On Wednesday the gunmen opened fire at a number of sites, including a train station, two five-star hotels, a hospital and a popular restaurant.

Along with the shootings, at least two grenades were used. India has suffered a wave of violent attacks in recent months, this being the bloodiest yet. Police accused Pakistan's intelligence agency of planning the attacks. Pakistan has rejected this, saying there was no evidence that its intelligence staff were involved.

The shootings come at a time when relationships between the two countries have improved. Recently, Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari said that Pakistan would not be first to carry out a missile strike on India.

PC Free Zone has vivid and graphic images from some of the affected areas, and says US and British citizens were targeted in the attacks:

• The attacks were targeting British and American Nationals. The man on TV in India said the places that were chosen by the terrorists are places that are frequented by British and Americans.

True Crime Report says Western media was slow on the uptake:

• American cable news networks are slow to really jump on full coverage of the ongoing terrorist attacks across the Indian city of Mumbai. This is surprising, considering that the attacks appear to be targeting business/tourist areas frequented by Westerners, including American and British tourists.

Mumbai Help is lending aid to those trying to make contact with people in the city:

• Leave a message if you're trying to get through to pals in the city. Preferably leave a cellphone number for both yourself and your friends / family, and we'll try and SMS them. Suggest you avoid calling. Lines are bound to be screwed. SMS direct instead.

Thoughts go out to the victims and families.

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