Battle Vs. Mumbai Terrorists Rages for 3rd Day

As Indian commandos have intensified their crackdown on the remaining terrorists in Mumbai, a fresh battle raged yesterday at the Taj Mahal Hotel and the Chabad-Lubavitch Center in Nariman House, a Jewish facility.

The Times of India said yesterday that the commandos on the third day of the terrorist attacks rescued 148 hostages trapped in the Oberoi Hotel after shooting two terrorists.

Indian authorities declared an all-clear at the Taj Mahal Hotel Thursday but a fierce gun battle broke out yesterday afternoon between the terrorists and Indian forces. The sound of two explosives and gunfire inside the hotel were heard for about 10 minutes.

Indian commandos stormed the Chabad-Lubavitch Center by sliding down ropes from a hovering helicopter yesterday morning. Reuters said witnesses believe the terrorists held many Jewish hostages.

A source from the commandos said the rescue operation at the Taj Mahal and Oberoi hotels is in the final stage.

The Associated Press quoted an official with the rescue operation as saying an additional 30 to 50 bodies were found on the hotel floor in the flush out effort. The death toll was provisionally 125 but is likely to rise.

The Indian government also said the terrorists have set up a control room near the two hotels and carefully prepared the massive attacks, including concealing eight-kilogram RDX bombs at a restaurant near the Taj Mahal Hotel.

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