Indian home minister offers to resign over Mumbai attacks
The country's prime minister is yet to accept Mr Patil's resignation
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Sunday, 30, Nov 2008 10:24
Indian home minister Shivraj Patil has offered to step down in the wake of the Mumbai terror attacks.
Local television stations have reported that Mr Patil, who is responsible for domestic security, had offered to resign over the attacks which have claimed the lives of at least 195 people over the last four days.
The resignation has been submitted to the prime minister who is yet to take a decision on the matter, according to local media.
Police regained control of the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel yesterday as commandos completed a hotel-wide search to find hostages and to capture the perpetrators of the attacks. At least nine of the terrorists have been confirmed dead while one suspect has been taken into custody.
Most of the gunmen entered the city through its ports on rubber dinghies on the night of the attacks. They fired shots and detonated bombs at at least six spots in the city, including two luxury hotels, a railway station, a trendy nightclub and a Jewish centre. They also opened fire on pedestrians on their way to the sites.
The Foreign Office has said there is no evidence that any British citizens were involved in the planning or carrying out of the terrorist attacks.
Prime minister Gordon Brown has added that he has had no indication from the Indian government that any British born individuals were involved in the attacks, following claims by Indian news networks last night that British-born Pakistanis may have been involved.
The most likely culprits, according to India's foreign minister are "elements with links to Pakistan".
However, Pakistan has urged India not to politicise the situation saying "we should join hands to defeat the enemy".
The Pakistani government is to hold an emergency cabinet meeting today to discuss the attacks.
It had also intended to send its intelligence chief to India to help with investigations, but has reversed the decision following criticism from opposition politicians and a lukewarm response from the army. It will send a lower-ranking representative instead.
On Friday, almost 100 people were rescued from a second hotel, and six bodies were found at a Jewish centre.