Seven hostages rescued from besieged Mumbai complex
Posted: 28 November 2008 0431 hrs

	Photos  of
	Related News • Israeli embassy says 10-20 of its nationals among Mumbai hostages • Indian commandos battle Islamist gunmen in Mumbai, over 125 dead • Terrorism expert says India must revise counter-terrorism policy Special Report • Mumbai Attacks

MUMBAI: Seven hostages have been rescued from a Mumbai residential-business complex that was attacked by Islamic gunmen, Indian security officials said late Thursday.

The complex also houses a Jewish centre, but an Israeli diplomat at the scene told AFP that those freed had come from "other buildings" and that there remained an uncertain number of people still trapped in the Jewish centre.

The nationalities of those freed were not given, although some foreigners were seen being led away to safety by police, television pictures showed.

"We've recovered seven hostages from the complex. Sweeping operations are ongoing," a security official told reporters outside Nariman House, the complex in central Mumbai.

The complex was one of at least 10 sites targeted by gunmen, who launched coordinated attacks in the city on Wednesday evening.

Inside is a Jewish prayer and study centre - Chabad House - run by the ultra-Orthodox Lubavitch sect, which doubles as a hostel.

Officials said commandos continued to sweep through the nearby Oberoi/Trident hotel, where a large number of guests - including foreigners - were either hiding in their rooms or being held hostage.

They also said they had nearly completed their operation to flush out all Islamic militants holed up in Mumbai's Taj Mahal hotel, with just one injured gunman remaining. - AFP/de