Kenyan security forces exchange fire with hostage-holders as standoff at upscale shopping center enters third day.

Kenyan security forces exchange fire with hostage-holders as standoff at upscale shopping center enters third day.(TOI).

Loud explosions and sustained gunfire echoed on Monday morning around a Nairobi shopping mall where al-Qaeda-linked gunmen killed at least 69 people and have been holding dozens hostage since Saturday.

Three explosions could be heard, according to reports, along with bursts of rapid machine-gun fire, as Kenyan security forces apparently renewed their efforts to secure the release of the hostages inside and end the deadly siege at the Kenyan capital’s upscale Westgate shopping center.

A Kenyan military spokesman said that the fate of hostages inside the mall was not clear despite earlier statements that “most” of them had been rescued.

According to the Kenyan Red Cross 63 people are still missing and they are though to included hostages being held and those who may have been killed but are still inside the mall, AFP reported. At least 69 people have been confirmed killed, the Red Cross said.

Oguna said that many of the rescued hostages — who he said were mostly adults — were suffering from dehydration. An Associated Press reporter at a triage center next to the mall said no hostages ever showed up there.

Kenyan authorities said they would do their utmost to save hostages’ lives, but no officials could say precisely how many people were being held captive. Kenya’s Red Cross said in a statement, citing police, that 49 people had been reported missing. Officials did not make an explicit link but that number could give an indication of the number of people held captive.

Kenya’s Red Cross said the death toll rose to 68 after nine bodies were recovered Sunday. More than 175 people were injured, including many children, Kenyan officials said.

Somalia’s al-Qaeda-linked rebel group, al-Shabab, claimed responsibility for the attack that specifically targeted non-Muslims, saying it was in retribution for Kenyan forces’ 2011 push into neighboring Somalia.

Former Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga told reporters that “quite a number” of people were being held hostage in two areas of the sprawling complex, which includes stores for such retail giants as Nike, Adidas and Bose. Many hostages were believed to be in a grocery and general department store called Nakumatt.

Kenyan security officials sought to reassure the families of hostages but implied that some of those being held could be killed.

“The priority is to save as many lives as possible,” said Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph Lenku, adding that more than 1,000 people escaped the attack inside the mall on Saturday.

Westgate Mall is at least partially owned by Israelis, and reports circulated that Israeli commandos were on the ground to assist in the response. Four restaurants inside the mall are Israeli-run or owned.

In Israel, a senior defense official said there were no Israeli forces participating in an assault, but said it was possible that Israeli advisers were providing assistance. The official, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was discussing a classified military issue, would not elaborate.Read the full story here.