1 pm EST - India Update

queenyemk

Thu, Nov 27 2008, 1:09 pm

Israeli embassy says 10-20 of its nationals among Mumbai hostages

34 minutes ago

NEW DELHI (AFP) — Around 10-20 Israeli nationals, possibly more, are among the hostages being held by Islamic militants in India's economic capital Mumbai, the Israeli embassy told AFP Thursday.

"At this stage, probably there are between 10-20 Israeli nationals being held hostage, but it could be more," said Eli Belotsercovsky, deputy chief of mission at the Israeli embassy in New Delhi.

When asked if Israel was assisting Indian security forces in the massive counter-terrorism operation, he replied that "Indian security forces are handling the situation and there is no such initiative that I know of."

"We have full confidence in the capability of the Indian government to handle this situation," he added.

Indian commandos were fighting to end a multiple hostage crisis Thursday in Mumbai, battling Islamist gunmen holding foreign guests in two luxury hotels and a commercial-residential complex after attacks across the city left over 125 dead.

The office-residential complex, Nariman House, is home to a Jewish prayer and study centre which also doubles up as a hostel for tourists, businessmen and backpackers.

http://www.google.com/hostedne.....slNyA