As the chaos and fighting continued in the streets of Mumbai, traumatised tourists relived the bloody slaughter.

Terrorists 'copied Al Qaida blueprint' Terrorists behind co-ordinated attacks on a series of high-profile targets in India followed a "blueprint" created by al Qaida, one terrorism expert said today. George Kassimeris, an expert in conflict and terrorism, said attacks on transport links, hotels and bars in Mumbai were "original" and "absolutely shocking". He said the Islamic extremist group created the "modus operandi" of attacking vulnerable civilian targets with no warning, long-term plans or demands. Witness accounts that gunmen were looking for US and British nationals suggest they want to grab international attention, he added. Dr Kassimeris said: "Al Qaida set the blueprint for terrorist operations and now we see different people, different groups in different parts of the world, copying it. "The underlying theme is to cause as much havoc as possible and this is exactly what has happened in India. "There is no specific operational or logistical plan, they just want to inflict as much damage and injury as possible. "The fact they have gone for western targets confirms initial fears these people are out to inflict as much damage as possible." India has endured a series of terrorist attacks in recent years undertaken by disparate Islamic militants, many based in Pakistan and Bangladesh. A relatively new extremist group known as Indian Mujahideen has claimed responsibility for several bomb attacks in Mumbai in the past 12 months. Dr Kassimeris, a senior research fellow at the University of Wolverhampton, said those responsible were likely to be Islamic religious extremists. He said: "It could be any one of them and it would be foolish to speculate so soon, but I am 99.9% sure there is a religious element to this." A message explaining the attacks will probably be published via email or on an extremist website in the near future, the academic said. He said: "Do not forget the fact that they are attacking high-profile targets means they will get high-profile publicity. "This is the underlying reason they went for this kind of targets instead of just setting off a bomb in a far-flung suburb of Mumbai. Dr Kassimeris said the terrorists might have chosen to use guns and grenades because some bomb plots have failed. He said: "You need expertise to put bombs together. These people went for the straightforward style of terrorist activity. It is very easy and it works - unfortunately." Another expert compared the attacks to the deadly bombing of the Marriott Hotel in Pakistan's capital Islamabad on September 20. Professor Richard Bonney, the author of Jihad: From Qu'ran To Bin Laden, said the difference was that in Mumbai there were co-ordinated attacks and Westerners were singled out as hostages. He said: "This attack looks more dangerous and better planned, though not directed against possible government targets but economic ones and of course the 'Western allies'."

Businessman Alex Chamberlain, who was caught up in the violence at a leading hotel, told how the terrorists targeted people.

He said: "They told everybody to stop and put their hands up and asked if there were any British or Americans.

"My friend said to me, Don't be a hero, don't say you are British'.

"I am sure that is what this is all about. They were talking about British and Americans specifically."

Diane Murphy, 58, from Northumberland, was shot in the foot when terrorists stormed the busy Leopold Cafe. Her husband Michael, 59, took a bullet in the ribs. He has had his spleen removed after two operations and remains in intensive care.

Mrs Murphy, who is still in hospital, said: "All of a sudden there was automatic gunfire. The whole place fell apart.

"It was tremendously loud. My husband and I were hit, as were lots of people.

"Everybody was down on the ground. The gunfire stopped for a few seconds then started again.

"We had to wait - it seemed like an age - for the police to arrive.

"I stayed with my husband because I could tell he was seriously injured.

"He was losing consciousness."

And Cheryl Robinson, a British tourist trapped at the Taj Mahal hotel, said, "We stayed on the floor, many were lying under tables."

Ms Robinson, who was with two friends, said: "We were at dinner when we heard shots fired. There was gunfire and explosions.

"The hotel staff told us to be quiet. The staff were stupendous. They locked the doors and warned us to sit tight."

She said that restaurants and rooms were flooded with water after a pipe burst in the chaos of the blasts.

"We lay down in the water. We could hear the sound of people running outside. It was terrifying," she said.

Seven hours later, a barefoot Ms Robinson shivered as she stood outside the burning but still majestic stone-columned hotel.

Soldiers and firefighters helped her and several others climb down ladders to escape the blaze as firing continued inside.

A clutch of weeping tourists from Spain, Italy and Britain, also barefoot, huddled together holding bottles of water and haversacks.

At another Mumbai landmark, the Chattrapati Shivaji Terminus railway station, Nasim Inam sobbed as he spoke of seeing commuters mown down while they were walking to catch the late trains home.

"They just fired randomly at people and then ran away. They were so young. They were young boys. I was just behind. If they had turned around, it would have been me," he said.

Just a few miles away, eyewitnesses said gunmen hijacked a police van then opened fire on crowds near two hospitals.

"We felt the ground shake and heard the explosions," said Manish Tripathi, at a police cordon.

"We heard a car speed up behind us. It was a police van, but the men inside were firing at us."

"Men were screaming that they had lost their fingers. There was blood all over," said Mr Tripathi who escaped unhurt. "Some were shot in the leg, some on the shoulder or hand."

British Euro MEP Sajjad Karim, part of a trade delegation visiting Mumbai for talks, described how the attackers sprayed bullets indiscriminately into crowds of guests in the hotel.

He said: "I was in the lobby of the hotel when gunmen came in and people started running. There were about 25 or 30 of us.

"Some of us split one way and some another. A gunman just stood there spraying bullets, right next to me.

"I managed to turn away and I ran into the hotel kitchen and then we were shunted into a restaurant in the basement."

He described how as he ran from the lobby, he saw shot people falling. However, all the members of his group are now thought to be safe.

Scots 'could be caught up in Indian chaos'

Employees of Scots firms may have been caught up in the Mumbai terrorism atrocities, it emerged today.

Alex Salmond told MSPs during First Minister's Questions in Holyrood: "There were some indications this morning that some employees of Scottish-based companies could have been caught up in the atrocity.

Mumbai under attack

"I want to emphasise there is no confirmation, but officials have been in contact with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, and there will be ministerial contact this afternoon.

"I know the chamber wants to express its solidarity with the victims' families, wherever they come from, and will unite to condemn this atrocity."

The savage attacks were today condemned across the world. A spokesman for the Foreign Office said he could not comment on reports that British people were being targeted.

View larger map of the terrorist attack area: opens in new window or tab

But Prime Minister Gordon Brown vowed a "vigorous response" to the attacks and promised to back the Indian government as it responded to them.

Foreign Secretary David Miliband added: "The attacks in Mumbai remind us yet again of the threat we face from violent extremists.

"I condemn these attacks unreservedly. Our thoughts are with the families and friends of those killed and injured."

From America, White House press secretary Dana Perino said President George Bush "offers his condolences to the Indian people and the families of the innocent civilians killed and injured".

A spokesman for Barack Obama added: "President-elect Obama strongly condemns the terrorist attacks in Mumbai and his thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families, and the people of India.

"We stand with the people of India, whose democracy will prove far more resilient than the hateful ideology that led to these attacks."

Tory leader David Cameron said: "I utterly condemn the attacks that have taken place in Mumbai and the terrible loss of life that has occurred."

And Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg said: "When violent terrorism raises its ugly head, it's crucial that the international community stands together."

The Muslim Council of Britain also slammed the attacks.

Secretary general Dr Muhammad Abdul Bari said: "I condemn this heinous act and extend my sympathies and condolences to the bereaved."