Britain, Australia and Canada have cautioned their citizens visiting India against travelling to Mumbai, following reports that the terrorists were specifically targeting British and American passport-holders.

At the Trident/Oberoi, while herding the hostages together last night, the terrorists were reported to have asked those who hold British and American passports to put their hands up. The US, however, is yet to update their travel advisory.

The British Foreign Office advised against ''all non-essential travel to Mumbai until further notice''.

''If you are currently in Mumbai, we advise you to stay indoors and monitor the media,'' it said. The notice also asked them to contact their travel agent for information as some flights have been cancelled.

The Foreign Office also gave Mumbai and UK phone numbers for British citizens or their relatives to contact for information.

''We advise all British nationals in the city to stay indoors until local authorities advise that it is safe to go outside,'' the notice added.

The Australian foreign ministry advised its nationals to exercise a ''high degree of caution'' and asked them to avoid travel to Mumbai.

''Pay close attention to your personal security at all times and monitor the media and other local information sources for information about possible new safety or security risks,'' it said.

The advisory includes contact numbers in Mumbai and Australia for information.

The Canadian High Commission in New Delhi also released a travel advisory. The US state department, however, is yet to update its travel warning page for India.