Terror has stalked Mumbai, India's commercial capital, all too many times before. In 1993 more than 250 people died in a series of bomb attacks, seen as reprisals for the demolition by Hindu fanatics of the mosque at Ayodhya. In 2003,rnmore than 50 people were killed by two car bombs, including one just outside the Taj Mahal hotel, next to the monumental tourist attraction, the "Gateway of India". And in 2006 over 180 people were killed in seven separate explosions at railway stations and on commuter trains. But the latest atrocity-or rather co-ordinated series of atrocities (see page 63)-is something new to the city. It has alarming implications not just for India, but for the entire international fight against terrorism.rnIt differs from most previous attacks in two important ways: in the sophistication of the operation's planning and the terrorist manpower that must have been involved; and in selecting foreigners as targets: hostage-takers seem to have sought out American, British and Israeli victims. As The Economist went to press, the crisis in Mumbai was still unfolding. Hostages were still held, fires still smouldering at the Taj Mahal hotel and occasional gunfire and explosions still to be heard. It was uncertain who was responsible, though a previously unknown group calling itself the Deccan Mujahideen had contacted television stations to claim credit.
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