The relations between India and Pakistan remain heated. Very recently, at least 19 people died in clashes between Islamic militants and Indian soldiers in the Kashmir region. The bloody confrontations have been lasting for nearly a week.

The clashes began when the Indian army surrounded a group of heavily armed militants in the Shamsbari forest near the demarcation line that divides Kashmir between the two countries. The number of casualties is the highest figure in a single clash between the two sides in a year. “The exchange of fire continued,” explained the spokesman for the Indian Army, J. S. Brar. “Eleven terrorists and eight soldiers, including an officer, so far have died,” he reported.

The Kashmir border region has seen previous wars between India and Pakistan, namely in 1947 and 1965. In 1989, a separatist movement emerged to fight Indian domination in the region. This rebellion has already cost thousands of lives.

In addition, the only terrorist captured alive in the terror attacks in Bombay last November confirmed his Pakistani nationality in his first statement to a tribunal. Mohammed Ajmal Kasab confirmed that he comes from Faridkot in the Punjab province of Pakistan. Kasab, the only terrorist captured alive, was indicted last February for an act of war against India, as well as murder, among other charges. If convicted, he could face the death penalty. India has accused 38 people for the attacks in November, most of them Pakistanis.

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Via AsiaNews

The latest from the Indian city that never sleeps, Mumbai (Bombay) is that 80 people have been killed and 200 injured in terrorist attacks when gunmen opened fire in Chatrapati Shivaji Terminus Station (The main railway hub of the city), two five star hotels frequented by the nation’s rich and foreigners, Oberoi and the Taj Mahal Hotels; Leopold’s restaurant and perhaps a hospital too. The details are still sketchy and nothing much can be said about the attack at present. Reports say that the terrorists asked for British and American passport holders and fired indiscriminately. There were also grenade attacks in the said places.

Journalists are still getting reports of new places being targeted like the Crawford market, Cama and GT hospitals, Wadi Bunder and on Western Express Highway too. Certainly one of the most violent attacks in India, the incident is still sketchy and information is not available online. Guests at the JW Marriot hotel were also targeted and dozens of innocent people have been either shot dead or killed in the grenade attacks. The Chief Minister of Maharashtra has described the situation in Mumbai as being very serious. The British Foreign and Commonwealth Office has warned citizens of U.K. to stay indoors as the attacks seem to be targeted at western nationals too.

Some of the latest updates are that the Anti-Terrorism Squad Chief Hemant Karkare was killed, and the army has been trying to flush out the terrorists from Hotel Oberoi. Many police personnel including the Additional Commisioner of Police have been killed too. Terrorists are still engaging in a gun battle in Oberoi, Taj, Hotel Marriot, Nariman House and other places. A petrol pump in Colaba was blown up where 10 people died. In the suburb of Vile Parle, a Taxi was blown up and a gun battle rages outside the Metro Cinema Hall. Rapid Action Force may intervene for a fierce battle with the terrorists. Trains have been suspended and the roads are deserted in the city that never sleeps. Most of the targets have been high end and upmarket areas of South Bombay.

Mumbai (Bombay) has already seen enough ugly events taking place during the last many months. The city of dreams for many has certainly become a city of nightmare, tonight. One will have to wait and watch as the tragedy unfolds hour by hour in Mumbai. The figures and locations stated here are not confirmed and the numbers and statistics are still changing by the minute. Perhaps one will know more about the incidents in a few hours, as the authorities will be in a better position to comment about what took place tonight.

MumbaiMetblogs has a live report about the attacks. Wired reports that the social media has been particularly successful in keeping people informed about the happenings.

Update: AP reports that the little known Deccan Mujahideen has claimed resposibility for the attacks in Bombay.

Update 1: Terrorists used police vehicles to flee and the police have released the registration numbers of the vehicles. A maharashtra govt. jeep (no: MH01 ZA 102)  and a Police Qualis (no: MH01 BA 5179)

Update 2: The attacks seem to be well planned and co-ordinated which reflect security loopholes present.

Update 3: Many videos could be found here.

Update 4: 5 Star hotels, Connaught Place, Markets in Delhi have been put on alert. Ahmedabad in Gujarat also has been put under red alert.

Update 5: KTVZ reports that many western hostages are being held hostage and mostly Americans and Britons are being targeted. One eyewitness revealed that an Italian was let go, because of his nationality.

Update 6: More than 50 hostages were rescued from a major fire in the Taj Hotel.

Update 7: Hotel Taj Burns and goes up in flames.

Update 8: BBC reports that the Kashmir issue could be one of the reasons behind the attack.