Night of Horror and Carnage in Mumbai, India Terrorist Attack

This time terrorists have singled out American and British dignitaries and visitors in Mumbai, formally known as (Bombay).

MUMBAI, India (Catholic Online) - India, already racked by horrid violence against Catholics and other Christians from extremist Hindus in Orissa, has now become the venue for one of the most brutal terrorist attacks in recent years.

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This time terrorists have singled out American and British dignitaries and visitors. This terrorist attack is taking place in Mumbai (Bombay), the financial center of the area. These terrorist appear, upon first reports, to be Islamic.

The reports coming from inside the event give the number dead at 80 and injuries well into the 200's. The terrorists are heavily armed with bombs, grenades, and automatic weapons. Reuters reports that Police are engaged in hand to hand combat with the terrorists in some of the Luxury hotels and restaurants in the area.

Hemant Karkare, the Chief of Mumbai anti-terrorist squad has been killed.

So far the United States State Dept.has indicated that US Diplomats are safe but they say they have no knowledge of any American casualties. However, other sources say otherwise.

Gunmen entered the Taj Mahal and the Oberoi, both Luxury Hotels catering to Westerners, and opened fire. Latest reports from the ground indicate that they are holding a number of Western hostages captive and are singling out those who hold US and UK passports for particular acts of violence and threats.

The terrorists also attacked a police station, a bus station, and a popular restaurant. Latest reports indicate a group calling itself "Deccan Mujahideen" has taken responsibility for the acts of terror in an E-Mail correspondence.

Rakesh Patel, a British witness has given a statement to reporters indicating that the terrorists are singling out Americans and those from England. Though a British citizen who lives in Hong Kong, he noted that they did not think he was British and asked him to single out those who were. He further said they had guns and bombs and appeared to be very young. Other reports indicated that the gunmen spoke in Hindi or Urdu.

Armed police have set up barricades around the besieged City.

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