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A series of co-ordinated attacks across the Indian city of Mumbai have killed at least 101 people and injured 287 more. At least seven high-profile locations were targeted in India's financial capital, which included two luxury hotels where dozens of hostages are now being held. Armed men are also said to be holding people captive in an office block. Police reports say four suspected terrorists have been killed and nine arrested.
The situation in Mumbai is still confused with reports of explosions and gunfire at between seven and sixteen locations. The city's main train station, a hospital, a restaurant and two hotels are among those places caught up in the violence.
Military forces have surrounded the two hotels, the Taj Mahal Palace and the Oberoi Trident, where it is believed armed men are holding dozens of hostages. Eyewitness reports suggest the attackers singled out British and American passport holders. Security analysts say this implies an Islamist motive - attacks inspired or planned by al-Qaeda.
Responsibility for the attacks has been claimed by a previously unknown group calling itself the Deccan Mujahideen. Although the motive is far from clear, the attacks have come during elections in several Indian states, including the disputed region of Kashmir.
In recent months there have been waves of bombings in Indian cities, leaving scores of people dead. Most of the attacks have been blamed on militants Muslim groups, although suspected Hindu extremists have also been arrested.
In 2006 a series of bomb attacks on trains in Mumbai killed almost 190 people and injured over 700. At the time Police accused Pakistan's intelligence agency of involvement in the attacks, which they claimed were carried out by Islamist militants. Pakistan rejected the allegation, saying there was no evidence that its intelligence staff were involved.
But the latest shootings come at a time when relations have improved between India and Pakistan. Recently Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari told a summit in Delhi that Pakistan would not be first to carry out a missile strike on its neighbour. The two countries also have a joint anti-terror agreement in which they are supposed to share intelligence on terrorist activities.
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