The siege of Mumbai's Taj Mahal Hotel is over

Indian commandos have killed the last Islamist gunmen holed up at Mumbai's Taj Mahal hotel according to government officials. It ends a three-day battle at landmarks across India's financial capital that has killed at least 195 people and injured 295 others. "Taj is under our control," Mumbai police chief Hasan Gafoor said, shortly after the building was raked by heavy gunfire as flames leapt from windows. At least three militants and one trooper were killed after a running gunbattle through a maze of corridors, rooms and halls. The gunmen had set parts of the hotel ablaze as they played cat and mouse with scores of India's best-trained commandos, known as the Black Cats. "Our operations will continue until we check each and every room and floor," India's commando chief, Jyoti Krishna Dutt said. He said a body seen thrown out of a window at the hotel was that of one of the militants. There was no word on the fate of hostages or any remaining guests who might have been trapped inside their rooms. Sniffer dogs were taken to the iconic 105-year-old hotel and ambulances arrived. Some commandos lined up ready to enter the hotel to sweep through the rooms, while others boarded buses to pull out, looking exhausted. The Taj Mahal was the last battleground after three days of intense fighting in various parts of the city of 18 million. Authorities said 18 foreigners were among those killed including three Germans, five Americans, one Australian, a Briton, one Canadian, two French, an Italian, a Japanese, a Singaporean and a Thai.

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ITN | November 29, 2008

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