Commandos storm Mumbai Jewish centre, gunfire erupts

At least 17 commandos Friday abseiled from a helicopter onto the roof of a Jewish centre in Mumbai taken by Islamic militants and entered the building as gunfire erupted, an AFP witness said.

The centre was one of several targets in the city attacked by Islamist gunmen. Officials said an unknown number of hostages, including Israelis, were believed to be held inside by three gunmen.

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

The Israeli embassy denied any Israeli forces were involved in the assault.

Intermittent loud explosions and rapid gunfire were heard from inside Nariman House, a business and residential complex where the Jewish centre is located.

Hundreds of people gathered on nearby rooftops to observe the operation, with some neighbouring buildings in the closely packed residential area being evacuated.

Seven hostages were rescued from the complex late on Thursday, Indian security officials said.

The building was one of at least 10 sites targeted by gunmen who launched coordinated attacks in India's financial capital on Wednesday evening.

Inside is a Jewish prayer and study centre run by the ultra-Orthodox Lubavitch movement, offering drug prevention services as well as doubling up as a hostel for tourists and backpackers.

A cook at the centre told an Israeli newspaper how she escaped with its directors' two-year-old son.

Sandra Samuel, 44, told Haaretz she had barricaded herself in a first-floor room for 12 hours after the gunmen entered the building.

She only dared to peer outside when she heard the cries of a small child through the door.

"I just grabbed the baby and ran out," said Samuel, adding that the centre's caretaker Zakir Hussein, 22, who had been hiding with her, escaped with them.

It was unclear whether the directors were among those still being held inside.

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