Mumbai Latest (7:30 p.m. local time; 2 p.m. British time)

Twenty-one hours after the first attacks and stand-offs continue at the Taj and Oberoi Hotels. The Times of India reports all hostages released at the Taj, and CNN International is reporting 10 hostages released at the Oberoi. Five attackers and 14 policemen are reported dead, and The Times of India says more bodies are in the Taj Hotel.

As the stand-off moves to resolution, attention will turn to responsibility for the attacks. Right now, the media is spinning with frustration that they have nothing beyond the claim of the shadowy "Deccan Mujihadeen". While some journalists are speculating --- I think with little evidence --- about an Al Qa'eda assault, I suspect that Canuckistan's comment on a Pakistan connection may be far more important. In the context of the downward spiral in Pakistan, a renewal of Indo-Pakistani conflict, either between Government forces or between India and Pakistan-based insurgent groups, is cause for concern.

The P Word

The conflict is still continuing in Mumbai. Once events are settled, questions will quickly be asked about who supported these attacks. Already the Indian prime minister has talked about "external" forces. Based on previous events, attention will be played to any official or unofficial Pakistani involvement in these attacks. If these links exist, it will have rather significant implications for Indian-Pakistani relations and, of course, for the United States and the wider "war on terror."