Mumbai marks attacks anniversary

Mourners are expected to commemorate the day with prayers and marches

Residents of the Indian city of Mumbai (Bombay) are set to mark two years since gunmen launched co-ordinated attacks, killing 166 people.

Mourners are expected to commemorate the day with prayers, wreath-laying ceremonies and a peace march.

The 60-hour siege targeted luxury hotels, the main railway station and a Jewish cultural centre.

Meanwhile, India has rebuked Pakistan for not pressing ahead with charges against the alleged masterminds.

Security will be stepped up for the day, with anti-terrorist police among those deployed, Joint Police Commissioner Rajnish Seth said.

“The main purpose is to pay homage to the martyrs and to reassure the people that they are safe and secure,” Mr Seth told Bloomberg news agency.

On the city’s Chowpatty Beach, police officers are due to unveil a memorial to Tukaram Ombale, a constable killed during the attack.

India wants Pakistan to press on with prosecutions against seven alleged masterminds

Security forces and police are also due to hold parades through the city.

Although tourism declined in the wake of the attacks, tour operators say visitors are returning to Mumbai in record numbers.

On his trip to India earlier in November, US President Barack Obama visited the city and stayed in one of the luxury hotels targeted by the gunmen, Taj Palace Hotel – now fully restored.

On Thursday, US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton said the American people stood in solidarity with the people of India and would honour those who lost their lives.

Nine of the gunmen were killed during battles with security forces as the siege wore on.

The sole survivor, Mohammed Ajmal Kasab, was condemned to death by a Mumbai court in May.

Seven others, who are allegedly linked to the militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba, have been charged in Pakistan but have not gone on trial.

In a statement, India’s Ministry of External Affairs said that, despite reassurances by Pakistan, “substantive and verifiable progress has not been made on bringing all the perpetrators and masterminds of the heinous attacks to justice”.

Pakistan has said the legal case is continuing.

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