Over a 100 people, including nine foreigners, were killed and 300 others were injured in a night-long terrorist attack in eight locations in Mumbai, including two prime hotels, hospitals and the busy CST railway station.

The terrorists chose the landmark Taj and the Trident/Oberoi hotels, the Chatrapati Shivaji Terminus, the Cama and GT hospital as their prime target to inflict maximum damage.

Terrorists were holding around 6 people hostage inside the landmark Taj hotel and over 40 at the Trident/Oberoi hotel at Nariman Point.

Even as Maharashtra DGP claimed that the hostage crisis at the Taj has ended, fresh firing and explosions were heard from the Taj hotel. Five loud explosions were also heard from the Oberoi Hotel, even as the NSG engaged holed up terrorists.

Army, NSG and paramilitary forces have cordoned off the Colaba, Nariman Point and CST areas, even as many people were feared to have been taken hostage at Nariman House in Colaba.

Reports said two explosions were heard from the Trident hotel in the morning, possibly caused by the use of grenades by the terrorists.

Several people who have been held up in the Trident were led out safely by the police, while some others held hostage or are locked up in some of the guest rooms in the hotel building.

One terrorist holed up inside Nariman House in south Mumbai was killed, say police. Six more ultras were suspected to be inside the building. Several people are also being held hostage at the Nariman House.

Meanwhile, a little-known group called the Deccan Mujahideen has claimed responsibility for the coordinated terror strikes in Mumbai.

Prime minister Manmohan Singh today called an emergency cabinet meeting to tackle the situation.

The PM had earlier held a high-level meeting with opposition leader Lal Krishna Advani to discuss the situation.

British counter-terrorism experts say the terror attacks at prominent landmarks in Mumbai have ''all the hallmarks" of being an al Qaeda operation.

More NSG commandos are being rushed to Mumbai, even as Maharashtra director general of police A N Roy said nine suspected terrorists, who were held this morning, are being questioned.

Intelligence reports had earlier warned that there could be a possible entry of terrorists into Mumbai through the sea route, police sources said.

The Gujarat police said the Mumbai terror strike was similar to the Akshardham Temple attack of 2002, and they are carrying out checks and searches as a precautionary measure.

Pakistan's foreign minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi termed the attacks as ''barbaric'' and extended support to the Indian government. Qureshi was to meet external affairs minister Pranab Mukherjee at Chandigarh, but the meeting has been cancelled in the wake of the attacks.

US Ambassador to India David Mulford offered condolences to the families of the victims of Mumbai terror attacks and president-elect Barrack Obama said Washington was ready to provide all possible assistance to the Indian government.