MUMBAI (India): India’s financial hub, Mumbai was struck by blasts late on Wednesday as serial explosions and indiscriminate firing rocked nine areas across Mumbai including the crowded CST railway station, two five star hotels – Oberoi and Taj – leaving as many as 82 persons dead and over 350 injured.

Terrorists have also taken dozens of innocent people under hostage. Armed with AK-47 rifles and grenades, a couple of terrorists entered the passenger hall of CST and opened fire and threw grenades, Mumbai General Railway Police Commissioner A K Sharma said.

The terror strike which began at Chhatrapathi Shivaji Terminus(CST),formerly known as the Victoria Terminus claimed 30 lives in the premises of the station alone, police said.

Three persons were killed in a bomb explosion in a taxi on Mazegaon dockyard road and the rest were gunned down at Taj Hotel. The victims in the hotel were its employees.

The lobby of the Oberoi hotel was on fire and the hotel evacuated, eyewitnesses said. Maharashtra DGP A. N. Roy said Wednesday's attack in "at least seven places" is a "terror strike."

Indian Special Security Force Commandoes were rushed to the CST, which wore a deserted look and train services suspended.

Some people were injured in the firing in Oberoi hotel, and taken to a nearby hospital in police vans and ambulance. Firing was also reported in Taj hotel.

Firing took place at Colaba, Nariman Point and near Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminal, formerly Victoria Terminus and it was still continuing. Firing was also reported at Cama Hospital in south Mumbai, police said, adding that a blast was reported in a taxi under a flyover in suburban Vile Parle.

A bomb went off in a taxi in Mazegaon dockyard road. As Mumbai was struck by terror, Leader of the Opposition L K Advani on Wednesday night spoke to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh who confirmed incidents at five places in which at least 18 people were killed and 25 injured.

Advani called up Singh twice to ascertain details of the terror strikes in Mumbai, sources said. The Prime Minister told Advani that incidents, including a bomb blast and firing, had taken place at five places across the commercial capital and 18 people had died while 25 had been injured in these attacks.

Singh said security apparatus has been pressed into service to deal with the situation. Singh said Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh, who was in Kerala, was rushing back to Mumbai.

The BJP leader said the incidents demonstrated how grave the situation was in the country and there was deterioration with every passing day. Advani asked the people to remain united at this time of emergency.