Strongly condemning the 'dastardly' terror attacks in Mumbai which claimed at least 100 lives, the Union Cabinet on Thursday took stock of the situation and reviewed the security scenario in the country.
The meeting chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh [Images] was briefed on the ground situation by Home Minister Shivraj Patil [Images], who returned from Mumbai after a short visit.
The Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs also met prior to the Cabinet meeting.
Intelligence Bureau chief P C Haldar is understood to have briefed the meeting on the security scenario.
"The Cabinet has condemned the dastardly attacks in Mumbai," Union Urban Development Minister S Jaipal Reddy told reporters after the meeting.
Briefing media, Patil termed the attacks as 'very disturbing' and said 'we are all sorry about it'.
"It appears that the people have taken it very boldly. They (terrorists) want us to be frightened but we will not panic," he told reporters.
About 200 NSG commandos have been sent to Mumbai, he said, adding the government expects the operation to be over 'very quickly'.
"Operations are going on in three places -- Taj Hotel, The Trident and Nariman House in Colaba -- and our main concern is that these operations should not jeopardise the lives of the hostages," he said.
The prime minister is expected to visit Mumbai in a day or two once the operations are over, he added.
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