Police declare curfew around Taj in Mumbai

MUMBAI: Police with loudspeakers are declaring a curfew around Mumbai's Taj Mahal hotel, as fresh gunshots ring out from the area, in what could signal the start of an assault on gunmen who have taken hostages in the hotel.

Ambulances are driving up to the entrance to the hotel and journalists have been moved even further back from the area.

Teams of gunmen stormed luxury hotels, a popular restaurant, hospitals and a crowded train station late Wednesday in coordinated attacks across India's financial capital, killing at least 82 people, taking Westerners hostage, police said.

A group of suspected Muslim militants has claimed responsibility.