THE Singaporean being held hostage in a Mumbai's luxury hotel
stormed by a team of militant gunmen managed to contact family
members here, who in turn alerted the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
(MFA) early on Thursday morning.
Strait Times reported that the hostage is believed to be a woman
and was staying at the Oberoi Hotel.
'As far as we understand, the Singaporean has not been harmed,'
an MFA official said at a media briefing on Thursday.
The MFA spokesman said the ministry was in close touch with the
family, who has expressed a desire to remain private for now. As
such, MFA has withheld the identity of the Singaporean hostage.
MFA has made arrangements for the family to fly to Mumbai, and
is liaising with Indian authorities to secure the Singaporean's
release. The Singapore government is also offering assistance to
their Indian counterparts.
MFA said it has not received any reports of any Singaporean
casualties.
There are about 115 known Singaporeans in Mumbai. Among them are
seven who were stranded when the attacks happened.
'They are in safe locations but not out of Mumbai,' said the MFA
official.
"The terrorists are holding several people of different
nationalities as hostages. One Singaporean has been held hostage,"
the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.
"We are in close touch with the family of the Singaporean and
are working with the Indian authorities to secure the release of
the Singaporean and other hostages."
Nearly 100 people were killed and more than 250 injured in the
Wednesday attacks when gunmen armed with assault rifles and
grenades hit two luxury hotels and captured an unknown number of
foreign guests.
A group calling itself the "Deccan Mujahedeen" claimed
responsibility for the late night assaults on the Taj Mahal and
Oberoi Trident hotels, as well as the main train station, a
hospital and an up-market restaurant.
"Singapore strongly condemns the attacks," the foreign ministry
said.
"Singapore stands firmly behind the Indian government in its
fight against terrorism."
The foreign ministry advised Singaporeans to postpone travel to
Mumbai unless they have a pressing need to go.
http://www.asiaone.com/News/Latest%2BNews/Asia/Story/A1Story20081127-103751.html