WASHINGTON - The deadly terrorist attacks in Mumbai have left many South Asian residents in the Washington area wondering how their native region will cope.

Dozens of people gathered yesterday at the Sri Siva Vishnu Temple in Lanham, Md.,  to pray and express condolences and solidarity. Some residents say they're afraid the latest tensions could sour relations between India and Pakistan.

Sanjay Puri, of Herndon, heads the U.S.-India Political Action Committee. He says he had to cancel a trip by a group of Virginia school superintendents to Mumbai next week. They had planned to observe how schools operate in India. Puri's committee hopes to have a briefing next week with members of Congress and President-elect Barack Obama (web|news|bio) 's transition team.

Although authorities in India say the situation there is under control, D.C.-area residents with friends and family in Mumbai are still watching and praying.

On Saturday, in a sacred call to worship, members of the Lotus Temple in Fairfax voiced concern for their loved ones in India and about rising tensions with neighboring Pakistan.

"We are looking for a divine intervention [and] to give peace to those who've lost their lives," said Lotus Temple Chairman, Ravi Aharam.

The Hindu service, which took place at the temple Saturday, is a time of prayer and reflection and remembrance for the nearly 200 people killed in Mumbai, including Alan and Naomi Scherr of Virginia.

"Such a tragedy...we are all saddened," said Dr. Sam Singh, Lotus Temple Member. "And we are praying that God gives peace to them in heaven."

The Scherrs had traveled from Nelson County, Virginia, to Mumbai with the Virginia group Synchronicity on a pilgrimage Wednesday night. They were among the people gunned down in a hotel café.

A Canadian who was shot several times during the terrorist attacks in Mumbai faces additional surgery. Michael Rudder was also among the 25-person pilgrimage from the Virginia spiritual center when he was shot three times during the attacks. A spokeswoman for the Synchronicity Foundation said Saturday the Montreal stage actor will likely be transported to Singapore in several weeks to have a bullet removed from his abdomen.

"There were six of them left in the cafe when the terrorists arrived," said Bobbie Garvey of the Synchronicity Foundation. "And they [the terrorists] came into the cafe shooting."

Indian government commandos say they now have Mumbai under control, saying numerous terrorists have been captured or killed.

President Bush (web|news|bio) has offered his condolences to the region and officials there.

"The killers that struck this week are brutal and violent. But terror will not have the final word," said President Bush.

But Lotus Temple members communicating with friends and family in Mumbai say the once vibrant, active financial capital is different now.

"You're really worried about surroundings and you're watchful about what is going to happen," said Basandhi Aharam, a temple member. "Fear has taken over."

As many funerals take place for the nearly 200 killed in the attacks, a torn-up, burnt-out Taj Mahal Hotel and cars and buildings riddled with bullets is all that is left of the once bustling financial district known as India's Mumbai.

Meanwhile, D.C. Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton (web|news|bio) says these most recent attacks indicate a new brand of terrorism.

"Nothing about this attack is like anything we've ever prepared for," said Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton of D.C. "This group had a wholly different, and in many ways, more frightening MO than al-Qaeda. Al-qaeda went after big-bang targets. These people went after the general public."

A total of six Americans were killed in the attacks. And a amid the loss of life and damage done the troubling question about the future remains.

"Are we ready for new groups that spring up out of nowhere and are likely to hit anywhere," asked Del. Norton.

A Muslim group, possibly from inside India, has claimed responsibility for the attacks, but Indian authorities say they lone surviving gunman is from Pakistan. As a result, the finger pointing has begun and U.S. Officials are considering re-evaluating precautions for Americans traveling abroad.