Paul in China: there were many Muslims who already hated the west before Afghanistan and Iraq - remember 9/11 and the African embassy attacks in 1998? We were already bearing the brunt of their hate before we invaded those places. Why whine about them having more reasons to hate? Big deal.

Joseph, Redmond, USA

We should all memorize the Koran and give Osama Bin Laden honorary Doctorates at Harvard and Yale. Then maybe the terrorists will not think we are meanies and they will stop killing us!

John Hennesey, New York, USA

Mumbai is attacked by a well organised, well equipped group of terrorists.They have attacked innocent indians & foreigners. Whosoever they are, let the whole world unitedely condemned these terrorist.

Chandrashekhar Udare, Ahmedabad, India

The events in India prove once again that it does not necessarily require vast amounts of technology to cause havoc where free people live in an open society. We cannot let such events change our way of life. Lets continue to embrace civic freedom while effectively eliminating those who threaten us.

Terry, Hamilton, Canada

This is past mistakes of the Politican. Stop pleasing one community over the other for the Votes- they should realise that it is high time that we adopt the policy of NO TOLERANCE TOWARDS ANY FORM OF TERRORIST AND VOILENCE ACTIVITY. Anyone(Ploitician) supporting it should be condenmed n punish.

Pal, Mumbai, India

Could we please get out of Afghanistan and iraq etc etc so we dont give the whole world even more reasons to hate us. Surely our foreign policies are doing more harm than good. Now David Miliband is demanding we take action against Iran as if we dont have our hands full already.

Paul Taylor, Shenzhen, China

Its absolutely unpardonable.Terrorism is a shame on humanity...whatever may be the reason, its not justifyable by the law of humanity....

rohit, london, uk

As Richard Dawkins says lets stop pussyfooting around and call this out for what it is .. they're not fanatics, or fundamentalists or terrorists they are religious people. Regious brainwshing of children of all faiths is at the heart of all this .. without it the world would be much safer place

andy, lardieres, France

Nobody has mentioned that unfortunately Hindus are terrorising Indian Christians in part of India. My husband is an Indian Christian. How can anyone justify killing innocent people in the name of religion these days? It is just too mad! God must weep over it all. India is beautiful - go there!

Annette, Sidmouth, Britain

Colin,
I lived and worked in London for the 30 years of the Troubles. Should I have left London?
Give into terrorists like you advocate and the Terrorist wins.
All that is needed for evil to win is that Good men do nothing.

Howard, Basildon, England

India has nothing against any western country. In fact, an ordinary Indian goes out of his way to make our guests feel welcome. The world will soon know where these terrorists came from. They are definitely not Indian.

Ashish Deodhar, Lancaster, UK

To Colin, Carmarthen, United Kingdom
3,000 people die every year on Britain's roads. Have you given up driving?
The UK stands shoulder to shoulder with India against terrorism.

Richard, London, UK

To all those people who object to the old name "Bombay", I would like to say, as one born and brought up in the city, that Bombay is the city in which all differences of religion and background were forgotten. That city still lives in ours hearts, even after it having been renamed.

Rajan Mehra, Bombay, India

Terrorism where ever and when ever it rears its ugly face cannot be allowed to succeed in the achieving its political aims through violence. I hope all countries who share democratic values whether they are muslim, European, African unite to defeat it.

Lucy Sanderson, Haywards Heath, UK

Have been too India a few times with work. Always felt safe especially in Mumbai/Bombay. I would go again

Paul Y, wigan,

This is an atack on capitalism and it's trappings by a well organised group. The fundamentalists appear to have sailed from Pakistan in their own ship to land at Mumbai. The scale of this assault is way beyond anything attempted before and seems to be turning their fight international if not global.

Colin, Carmarthen, United Kingdom

Being pulled down into the realms hatred, despair and the urge for vengeance is not the answer to terrorism. Showing each other the best of our nature is. How about doing something kind, wherever you live, to make life a bit better for a friend, neighbor or stranger. That's how we win! Jai Hindi

geoffrey , clearwater, usa

Im a Muslim...and Im so sad to seen what happen in India.

Mifta, Surabaya, Indonesia

Time for the expertise of the SAS to be brought in!

Paul, Bedford, uk

Thanks Mr Bush for making the world a safer place !

jayil, london, uk

I was very shattered on hearing this news. This kind of incidents have become common in india..the disturbing fact is that it is being carried out in the name of religion and on earlier instances not many muslim leaders have condemened this making people believe that terrorists have their support

Ram, cardiff, UK

Westerners are the usual targets in most countries. Remember Bali ? Istanbul ? Madrid? . Its wrong to single out one country. In fact Mumbai will be back on its feet soon and business will be as usual. The spirit is strong.

Bala, Boston, USA

Rec colin

Perhaps we should forgoe trips to america and britain as well given the atrocities committed by terrorists in those countries a few years back.

Don't be so foolish, and give the terrorists a chance to dictate to you where you can and can not go.!

Mr Chuds, bristol, UK

Terrorism is affecting almost every significant nation in the world now, but I hope that the Govt. of India takes some solid action this time, having missed the chance in 2003 after the parliament attack & send a strong message to those who have no respect for human lives - Brits,Americans or anyone

SAURABH, Singapore, Singapore

My question is being a British Citizen living in Delhi and a rare visitor to the Taj Mumbai for tea.

What the hell our Europan MP's were doing staying in the Taj hotel in the first place, this is a 5* hotel, one of the best in India...prices are $800 upwards for a basic room. A cup of tea is $20!

richard, Delhi, India

I hope that the terrorists are not reading news reports about their situation. If there are, then well done for telling them what may be about to happen.

There should be a complete news blackout on resultions to specific hostage situations until the security services say otherwise.

Marc, Antrim, N Ireland

I really don't think thats the major issue here Colin.

Hannah , London,

Correct me if I'm wrong, but should The Times not be referring to the city by it's correct name - 'Mumbai'?

Andrew Abbott, Lancaster, UK

Whilst what's happened is awful, it's worth remembering that the UK is on a higher terror alert than India.Living in London & using the tube everyday, I technically have a higher chance of being caught up in a terrorist attack here than when I go to S. India at the end of Dec. And I intend to go.

Claire Hodd, London, UK

I'll still be going back next February, and my friends will still, no doubt, be going at Xmas. At the moment though, I hope and pray for a quick end to this terrible situation in Mumbai, for all those affected by it and for calm in India's communities.

MrMobs, Nottingham, UK

Why is it only the Times insist calling this city 'Bombay'?

c.s.athauda, london,

"Is it just me or does what we can see of the "Indian security commando"' look more Caucasian than Indian? "
Have been watching the news all day and they're all Indian - part of the NSG.

Tanya, Mumbai,

My friends and I had tea at the Taj Mahal Hotel as backpackers a few years ago. The staff were wonderful. My sympathies to the families of those who have been killed, and I will be going back to India. Sorry Colin.

Judy, Soton,

The world should show their commitment by staying with INDIA which is a great country . As a citizen of India , i can tell with pride that , this is a country which wont let down by this cowardly acts . We should fight terrorism together , Thanks for the west for showing support for us .

rengith, Bangalore , India

Colin of Carmarthen, attacks happend in UK, USA and other western countries. Does that mean we stop going there too!! Show courage rather than getting scared by these idiot bunch calling "Holi War".

Bhavesh Patel, London, UK

A few days ago The Independent carried a story about false flag bombings which had infact been carried out by Indian Hindu terrorists. The existence of Hindu terrorism was said to have caused shock and outrage - mentioned even by the Prime Minister. Who knows who's behind what any more?

Dorothy, Birmingham Small Heath,

wonderful job being done by the defence personal and the media have been extremly well disiplined in what they are saying on air wonderful, our support is with u. Maru good job!

Uma, Pune, India

Is it just me or does what we can see of the "Indian security commando"' look more Caucasian than Indian?

Guy, London,

I agree with Luke Nicolaides, and would include Kenya and Bali. Many of these terrorists will probably try to get to Britain where our soft judges will grant them asylum, or cushy prison sentences. Britain is currently the toilet for the terrorists of the world.

kerry livermore, London, England

To: Luke.

These guys don't seem to care about prison or death.This attack is far deeper and more fundamental than that.
It appears total in it's attempt to wipe out everyone they deem enemies. That includes all westerners and western style interests. A suicide action for their beliefs.

Colin, Carmarthen, United Kingdom

Why are not 'moderate' Muslims (the religion of peace) totally outraged by the moral depravity of their co-religionists? Why are they not deeply offended by this humiliation of Islam?

Barry, Cambridge,

Colin's reaction is exactly the reaction the terrorists want. Life is full of dangerous situations and random events. You can spend your life avoiding exotic and 'troubled' locations and then choke to death on a peanut. Carry on visiting India people. Dont let a few idiots speak for a whole Country.

Phil Mann, Newcastle upon Tyne,

As a tactic, just how destabilising is this for the entire region?

Unbelievable.

Jez W, Leeds,

Well Im going off to backpack India in February come hell or high water. A few random attacks do not bother me in the least. India is a great destination.

Andrew Lewis, Aberystwyth, Wales

I agree with PB, and absolutely condemn the attacks, these will not only affect Muslims living in India but peace loving Muslims around the globe specially in the west.
I being one can confirm these detrimental affects..

Adeel, Essex, UK

The 2006 Mumbai train bombings, killing over 200 and injuring over 700, amongst countless other atrocities, surely flagged the Islamic militant issue in India. We should show solidarity rather than run from a problem which affects us every bit as it does India, and tourism is as good a way as any.

Kevin, London,

India is taking every effort to rescue each and every civilian inside the hotels, putting the NSG, the most elite force into action. Some of the brightest cops lost their lives in the operation. India expects the rest of the world to act with empathy and is grateful to every kind of such support.

Praveen Kumar, Chennai, India

Won't put me off doing business there. Long live democratic India!

John, Sandwich, Kent

Can't you read it as gunmen hunting for humans? All those shot dead are humans irrespective of nationality.

Manojkumar K, Liberton, Scotland

Colin of Camarthen's fear is justified, but terrorism happens in the UK, too and it's actually indiscriminate. The attackers might have singled out Westerners, but far more Indians died. That they have stated "Muslims living in India should not be troubled" is stupid - we all know where this leads.

PB, London, UK

Where is safe then Colin? There have been terrorist attacks in the USA, Egypt, Spain, Glasgow, London and even Exeter! At least any terrorists the Indians capture can look forward to prison that is actually tough punishement, rather than some 5 star hotel with Sky TV.

Luke Nicolaides, London, UK

Gunmen hunting for Brits and Americans! India is no longer a destination. Both backpackers and middle-England retirees will be thoroughly warned off their adventure holidays with this going on.

Colin, Carmarthen, United Kingdom