At least 60 people were killed and dozens more injured Wednesday night in seven synchronized attacks in Mumbai, India's commercial capital, police said.

A senior police official in the city later said gunmen were holding hostages at two luxury hotels.

The shootings and explosions took place in the heart of the city's affluent southern section. At least two of the attacks targeted five-star hotels.

About 10:30 p.m., witnesses told reporters, two men fired automatic weapons outside the Cafe Leopold restaurant, which is popular with foreigners, then moved toward the five-star Taj Majal hotel while continuing to fire indiscriminately. The gunmen also reached the Oberoi hotel, the city's main Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus station and a hospital.

Witnesses said the gunmen initially asked for British and American nationals. About 10 Americans and Britons were believed to be trapped in the Taj Mahal hotel late Wednesday.