VIDEO - Masked Indian commandos dropped from helicopters Friday onto the roof of a Jewish center in Mumbai where suspected Muslim terrorists were holed up, possibly with hostages ,as sharpshooters kept up a steady stream of fire at the five-story building.
The assault came as commandos freed nearly 100 captives from the nearby Oberoi hotel as they searched the building for attackers still holed up more than a day after a chain of attacks across India's financial center by the militants left at least 130 people dead.
Rescue operation at Chabad house (Video: Reuters)
Security officials insisted their operations, which had been going on for nearly two days, were almost over.
"It's just a matter of a few hours that we'll be able to wrap up things," Lt. Gen. N. Thamburaj told reporters. He added that said at least one militant may still be holding two hostages in the Taj Mahal hotel, where 15 bodies were found.
The commando attack on the headquarters of the ultra-orthodox Jewish outreach group Chabad Lubavitch was punctuated by gunshots and explosions from within the building as forces cleared it floor by floor, according to an Associated Press reporter at the scene.
One camouflaged commando came out with a bandage on his forehead, while soldiers fired smoke grenades into the building and a steady stream of gunshots reverberated across the narrow alleys.
The security officer of the Israeli embassy in Mumbai Ehud Raz, who is staying close to the Cahabd center, told Ynet: "The officers in the area are preventing people from getting any closer. There were gunshots and explosions up until a few minutes ago, and now there's a short break in the gunfights.The commandos have taken over the two upper floors and are moving downstairs. "
According to Raz, this was the commandos' third attempt to break into the house, and there was still no new information regarding the hostages' condition or of their location. "At the time of the attack most of them were in the second floor where the dining room is and this is where they were hurt."
At the Oberoi hotel, at least 100 captives were rushed out and loaded into waiting cars, buses and ambulances.
The group, many clutching passports, included at least two Americans, a Briton, two Japanese nationals and several Indians.
Some carried luggage with Canadian flags, and two women were dressed in black abayas, traditional Muslim women's garments. The group included one man dressed in chef's uniform who was holding a small baby.
"I didn't see anything. I just heard loud blasts," said a man who smiled and waved to reporters. He said he was British, but declined to identify himself. "I was in my room. I didn't get out till an hour ago."
The well-coordinated strikes by small bands of gunmen starting Wednesday night left the city shell-shocked, but the sporadic gunfire and explosions at the Taj Mahal and Oberoi hotels dwindled overnight.
Ronen Medzini contributed to the report
First published: 07:18, 11.28.8