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Alarm in India

Five Dead as Gunmen Attack U.S. Cultural Center

None of the dead or injured were Americans, officials said. All of those killed and 18 of the wounded were all local police officers. A private security guard and a pedestrian were also wounded.

Witnesses told India's Rediff news Web site that four motorcyclists sped up to the facility and fired upon guards and bystanders in an attack that lasted just a few minutes.

U.S. officials say they don't know who is responsible, but the Indian government is blaming Kashmir-based Islamic militants.

The Associated Press quoted the joint commissioner of police as saying said there were intelligence reports of a possible strike against U.S. establishments in India as part of an "unprecedented threat" during Saturday's Republic Day celebrations.

U.S. officials said they were not aware of any specific threats against American facilities in India.

Witness: Attackers Shot at Everyone

SK Saha, a guard at the adjacent Himalaya House, told Rediff the attackers sped up on motorcycles, and fired at everyone.

"They did not even stop for a second, and kept on firing even as they were moving," he was quoted as saying. "They did not even spare the pedestrians and fired in all directions."

He said he could not see their faces, but they were wearing jackets — and firing at everyone they saw.

Considered Sovereign U.S. Territory

The American Center in Calcutta flies a U.S. flag, houses part of the U.S. consulate in Calcutta and is considered American territory. Two Americans are on the center's staff, but they were not present at the time of the attack, which happened at about 6:30 a.m. local time.

Security at the center was tightened after Sept. 11, as it was at all U.S. facilities around the world. Rediff said the facility has a round-the-clock contingent of 32 police officers.

Security was further tightened at U.S. facilities in the city today following the deadly attack.

The attack coincides with the arrival in New Delhi of FBI Director Robert Mueller and Ambassador at Large Francis X. Taylor, who heads the State Department's anti-terror task force. They were to meet with Indian officials to discuss anti-terror cooperation.

-- Anonymous, January 22, 2002