At Least 125 Killed in Overnight Mumbai Attacks

Updated 11/27 10:35 AM EST

Attacks on at least ten sites in the Indian city of Mumbai targeted railway terminals, five star hotels, airports and hospitals, with officials saying 125 killed, 327 wounded and other reports suggesting nearly 1000 wounded. Among those killed was Mumbai’s anti-terrorism chief and other police and military officials. The attacks were carried out with high powered automatic weapons and grenades, and at this time gunbattles continue in at least one of the hotels and foreign hostages are reported to have been taken. It has also been reported that the militants have hijacked at least one police vehicle, and Mumbai residents have been advised to remain in their homes as the fighting continues into the early dawn.

A heretofore unknown group calling itself the Deccan Mujahideen sent an email to news organizations claiming credit for the attack. Exactly who they are or what their motives are is not clear.

It is the second major bombing in India in the past month. Previously a mass bombing in and around Guwahati, in Assam, India killed at least 77 people and wounded hundreds of others. Mumbai is India’s financial capital, and this attack is likely to have more serious ramifications on a nation oft beset by violence.

Author: Jason Ditz

Jason Ditz is Senior Editor for Antiwar.com. He has 20 years of experience in foreign policy research and his work has appeared in The American Conservative, Responsible Statecraft, Forbes, Toronto Star, Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Providence Journal, Washington Times, and the Detroit Free Press.