2 Israelis released from Mumbai hotel

Israeli businessmen among dozens of hostages released after Indian commandos secure Trident-Oberoi Hotel. Heavy gunfire, explosions heard at besieged Jewish center, one terrorists reportedly killed. India blames 'elements in Pakistan' for attack
Ronen Medzini

Two Israeli businessmen have been released after having been held hostage in Mumbai's Oberoi Hotel after Wednesday's coordinated terror attacks in India's commercial center, Israel's Foreign Ministry reported Friday.

Dozens of other hostages were also released by Indian commandos during their rescue operation at the hotel, which is now under full control of the Indian military.

"The Oberoi Hotel and Trident are now under our control," the chief of the elite National Security Guards, J.K. Dutt, told reporters in Mumbai. "Oberoi-Trident have been evacuated, we have killed two terrorists."

Hostages released from the Oberoi (Photo: AFP)

The Israelis who were freed, ages 49 and 59, will soon board a plane back to Israel. The two are reportedly in good health.

Israel's Foreign Ministry announced Friday that 17 Israelis in Mumbai are still missing, and

Israel's ambassador to India said he believed six or more Israeli nationals were still being held hostage by gunmen at a Jewish center in Mumbai.

"We are estimating, and it's pretty much an educated guess, somewhere around six, maybe a little bit more, but I don't have complete information on that," Mark Sofer told Times Now television.

"A couple of days ago an Indian caregiver managed to escape with a tiny baby belonging to the rabbi in Chabad House, but the rabbi and his wife are still inside."

Battles still raging in Cahabd house

But battles raged on with terrorists who were still holed up in another luxury hotel and the Mumbai Chabad House, which is thought to have a number of Israeli hostages.

Heavy gunfire and explosions were heard at the besieged Jewish center, where commandos were sweeping the building. Commandos had rappelled from helicopters to storm the center earlier Friday.

Explosions and gunfire also continued intermittently at the elegant Taj Mahal hotel.

The Indian TV channel CNN-IBN reported that one of the terrorists was killed and another one injured.

India blames Pakistan

India again pointed a finger at Pakistani-linked "elements" for Wednesday's brazen, coordinated attacks in its financial capital, which police said killed at least 121 people.

"Preliminary evidence, prima facie evidence, indicates elements with links to Pakistan are involved," Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee told a news conference in New Delhi. He urged Pakistan to dismantle the infrastructure that supports militants.

But his Pakistani counterpart, Shah Mehmood Qureshi, called on India not to play politics over the attacks in Mumbai.

"Do not bring politics into this issue. This is a collective issue. We are facing a common enemy and we should join hands to defeat the enemy," the foreign minister told reporters during a visit to the Indian town of Ajmer.

Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari telephoned India's prime minister on Friday to condemn the attacks and suggested "non-state actors" were responsible.

The exchange raised the prospect of renewed tension between the nuclear-armed rivals, which have fought three wars since their independence from Britain in 1947.

AP and Reuters contributed to this report