Commandos storm Mumbai Jewish centre: Eye witness

MUMBAI, November 28, 2008 (AFP) - At least 17 commandos on Friday abseiled from a helicopter into the Jewish centre in Mumbai taken by Islamic militants, and explosions were heard, an AFP witness said.

The centre was one of several targets in the city attacked by Islamist gunmen.







Officials said hostages, including Israelis, were believed to be held in the building.

It was not clear if the commandos involved in the assault were Indian or Israeli.

Witnesses said the first group of seven armed men crouched on the roof of the building as the helicopter returned to drop at least 10 more military personnel.

Intermittent loud explosions were heard.

The black-clad soldiers cautiously took up positions on stairs and balconies around the outside of the building as equipment was dropped from the helicopter hovering above.

Hundreds of witnesses gathered on nearby rooftops to observe the operation.