But experts have agreed that they appeared to combine local grievances and international inspiration. A previously unknown group calling itself Deccan Mujahideen has claimed responsibility for the co-ordinated attacks on hotels, a busy train station and a cinema. Some analysts said those who carried out the attacks appeared to be an offshoot or followers of al-Qaeda, the jihadist movement founded by Osama bin Laden. They argued that the choice of civilian targets and witness accounts that gunmen were looking for US and British nationals suggested they wanted to grab international attention. Other experts cautioned against linking the terrorists to al-Qaeda, pointing out they did not use the suicide tactics that are the movement's hallmark. Several agreed that the shootings may have been aimed at disrupting ongoing elections in the disputed region of Kashmir and the upcoming Indian general election. One analyst suggested the radical Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) group could be behind the attacks on Mumbai.
But experts have agreed that they appeared to combine local grievances and international inspiration.
A previously unknown group calling itself Deccan Mujahideen has claimed responsibility for the co-ordinated attacks on hotels, a busy train station and a cinema.
Some analysts said those who carried out the attacks appeared to be an offshoot or followers of al-Qaeda, the jihadist movement founded by Osama bin Laden.
They argued that the choice of civilian targets and witness accounts that gunmen were looking for US and British nationals suggested they wanted to grab international attention.
Other experts cautioned against linking the terrorists to al-Qaeda, pointing out they did not use the suicide tactics that are the movement's hallmark.
Several agreed that the shootings may have been aimed at disrupting ongoing elections in the disputed region of Kashmir and the upcoming Indian general election.
One analyst suggested the radical Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) group could be behind the attacks on Mumbai.
... in a reflection of the poverty that sits cheek-by-jowl with the upmarket shops and restaurants in the city, hundreds of people were stretched out asleep on pavements and handcarts near the scenes of fighting. The sea-facing Marine Drive in front of the Oberoi-Trident is a favored spot for early morning walks, and some regulars came out for their constitutional despite the tension. "I hear they (the security forces) have relaxed the rules a little so I came for my morning walk but I did not see any of the regulars," said Raja Ram Patil, 54, a local businessman. <...> On Thursday, a militant holed up at the center phoned an Indian television channel to offer talks with the government for the hostages' release. He complained of abuses in Muslim-dominated Kashmir, over which India and Pakistan have fought two of their three wars.
... in a reflection of the poverty that sits cheek-by-jowl with the upmarket shops and restaurants in the city, hundreds of people were stretched out asleep on pavements and handcarts near the scenes of fighting.
The sea-facing Marine Drive in front of the Oberoi-Trident is a favored spot for early morning walks, and some regulars came out for their constitutional despite the tension.
"I hear they (the security forces) have relaxed the rules a little so I came for my morning walk but I did not see any of the regulars," said Raja Ram Patil, 54, a local businessman.
<...>
On Thursday, a militant holed up at the center phoned an Indian television channel to offer talks with the government for the hostages' release. He complained of abuses in Muslim-dominated Kashmir, over which India and Pakistan have fought two of their three wars.
