11 cops killed, situation in Mumbai grave: Maharashtra CM

MUMBAI: Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh on Thursday termed as "very grave" the situation in Mumbai arising out of last night's terror attacks across the city that left 80 people, including 11 policemen, dead.

He said some terrorists were holed up at the Taj Hotel at Colaba and Trident (formerly Oberoi) hotels.

Deshmukh said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had assured all cooperation to help tackle the aftermath of terror attacks.

Eleven policemen, including five officers, were killed in the attacks, he said.

The Chief Minister, who rushed back here from Kerala, said Singh and Congress chief Sonia Gandhi had assured Central government's assistance to tackle the situation.

Around 200 NSG commandos would soon reach Mumbai, Deshmukh said adding five columns of army and two columns of navy commands have been deployed.

Deshmukh refuted reports that Cama hospital in south Mumbai was in control of terrorists.

The Chief Minister strongly condemned the terror strikes and asked people not to believe in rumours.

Deshmukh assured the people that his government will take stringent action against the culprits involved in the attacks.