Mumbai Terror Update

Status of the situation inside the city is still chaos at about noon IST (Indian Standard Time). Reportedly, hostages are being held at the Taj Hotel, the Oberoi Hotel and maybe other locations. Casualty estimates are at 101 dead and 314 injured.

Latest reports indicate that terrorists, about 10-12 in number in Taj alone, have made some ransom demands but Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister RR Patil said no demands have come from them.

He said five of the dozen terrorists in Taj have been killed while one has been captured and was being interrogated. Claiming to have some "vital leads", the minister expressed confidence of breakthrough soon.

An unspecified number of foreigners including Americans, Israelis and Canadians are believed to be among the those in the two hotels and in Nariman House, a residential complex with an old Jewish prayer hall, where also a hostage situation prevailed.

As the day broke, gunbattles raged between terrorists, believed to have come in a boat to the Gateway of India, opposite Taj hotel, and commandoes and fresh explosions rocked the two hotels after the night of terror targeting ten places.

Notably, a BBC correspondent says the claims of responsibility by the previously-unknown group, Deccan Mujahideen, could be a hoax or an assumed name for another group.

* * *
I just heard Deepak Chopra interviewed on CNN. He blames the United States for the terror attacks in Mumbai. Seriously, this guy is a broken record.