CLAIMS that Britons of Pakistani origin were among the attackers in Mumbai were being investigated by the Foreign Office today.

The move came as Indian security forces moved in to clear the last terrorists from buildings across the city.

British authorities were following up reports on a local TV news channel that the terrorists included `British citizens of Pakistani origin'.

But Gordon Brown said it was too early to tell whether Britons were involved. He said: "I would not want to be drawn into early conclusions about this. There is so much information still to be discovered and made available.

"But obviously when you have terrorists operating in one country, they may be getting support from another country or coming from another country, and it is very important that we strengthen the co-operation between India and Britain in dealing with these instances of terrorist attacks."

He said he would be discussing the matter with with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

Meanwhile, commandos today freed several dozen captives - including two Britons and another clutching a baby - from the Oberoi Hotel as they searched the building for attackers.

More than 400 people were brought out of the Taj Mahal hotel last night. Army officers later claimed the Oberoi had been secured. But they said 24 bodies had been found inside, bringing the total death total to 143.

British citizen Nicole Griffen said she was rescued by Indian special forces from the Taj Mahal.

She said: "They entered and looked through our passports and scouted around to see if there was anyone harbouring terrorists or attackers, then we were told to wait with other guests while they checked other floors and checked other rooms."

Elsewhere in the city heavy gunfire was heard as more commandos were dropped by helicopter on to the roof of a Jewish centre where at least 10 hostages were thought to be held.

Bomb blasts were heard as the troops went in to clear the centre, run by the ultra-orthodox outreach group Chabad Lubavitch, floor by floor.

Scotland Yard officers have travelled to Mumbai to help the authorities as they struggle to restore order in the city. But a Metropolitan Police spokesman could not give details about what they would do there.

A group calling itself Deccan Mujahideen has claimed responsibility for the attacks.

However, experts have never heard of the organisation and suggest that the radical Students Islamic Movement of India (Simi) might have been behind the massacre.

Tweet