Article

2008-11-26 India-Pakistan

80 killed, 900 injured, 100 taken hostage in attacks on Hotels in Mumbai

Archived material is restricted to Rantburg regulars and members. If you need access email fred.pruitt=at=gmail.com with your nick to be added to the members list. There is no charge to join Rantburg as a member.

Posted by tipper 2008-11-26 13:53|| || Front Page|| [2 views ] Top

#1 Fox News is reporting over 80 killed and 250 injured with the possibility that a number have been taken hostage at the Taj Hotel in Mumbai.

Must be the usual suspects: Amish terrorists?

Posted by Mad Eye Thring3957 2008-11-26 14:49|| 2008-11-26 14:49|| Front Page Top

#2 Nov. 27 (Bloomberg) -- Grenade and gun attacks erupted today across Mumbai, Indias financial capital, killing 60 and injuring at least 200, the Press Trust of India said. Shots were reported near luxury hotels and one of the citys main rail stations.

The Times of India newspaper, quoting unidentified hospital sources, said the death toll could reach 80, with 250 hurt. Press Trust of India said there were 60 dead and 200 injured at St Georges Hospital in south Mumbai. No one has yet claimed responsibility for the attacks.

Police ringed the Taj Mahal Palace & Tower, Trident and Oberoi hotels and the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus in the south of the city, NDTV reported.

Some terrorist incidents are happening, some grenades were lobbed, A.N. Roy, director general of police for Maharashtra state, said in a telephone interview. Give us some time to get a clearer picture.

Police said the two attackers at the Oberoi had escaped, Times TV reported. Two suspected terrorists were subsequently killed when driving away from the direction of the Oberoi, Times TV reported. There was no one other than the two in the car, Times TV said. It wasnt clear whether any guests remained inside the hotel, Times TV said. Police didnt say whether the two men were the terrorists who attacked the Oberoi, it reported. Times TV also reported a blast at the rooftop of the Taj hotel, located near the Gateway of India in the Colaba area.

Shootings also took place at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, formerly known as Victoria Terminus, CNN-IBN television said. There were reports of explosions and continued firing, the channel said. Shootings also took pace outside Café Leopold and at the Taj Mahal hotel, both in the Colaba tourist area of south Mumbai, CNN-IBN reported.

We are all fine and safe within the hotel, said a Taj employee who answered the telephone at the hotel. I cant say anything more since we are still collecting information, and are all busy.

Multiple attacks have rocked Indias cities this year with bombs planted in markets, theaters and near mosques. While previous attacks have been blamed on foreign terrorists, police arrested members of the Indian Mujahadeen after a shootout in Delhi in September.

The two attackers at the Trident had entered one of the hotel restaurants and said they were looking for U.S. and British nationals, the channel said. They had taken about 15 people hostage, an eyewitness told Times TV.

There was an explosion near a junction in Vile Parle, near the airport, Times TV said. The remains of a taxicab were strewn at the blast site, television pictures showed. Another explosion was reported at Mazgaon dockyard road in a taxi, PTI said.

The government has previously blamed terrorist attacks on organizations linked to foreign powers, without offering evidence or making arrests. Local media often blame the attacks on groups backed by Pakistan or Bangladesh, without identifying the security officials who provided the information.

Posted by tu3031 2008-11-26 14:58|| 2008-11-26 14:58|| Front Page Top

#3 When my former company sent me to New Delhi, India in 2002 (soon after the attacks on the Indian parliment), I made it a point to find multiple ways out of the hotel and the local business building we were working in. Probably wouldn't have helped if the Amish (ha) had a good plan, but it was something I could do at least.

We'll see more and more of this type of thing (attacks in general), especially as the West (or the US, anyway) stops responding now that we voted for "change."

Now I'll be waiting to find out if anybody I know is over there (my former company had business in Mumbai, though I never went there). Bleh.

Posted by Laurence of the Rats 2008-11-26 15:02|| 2008-11-26 15:02|| Front Page Top

#4 Hey, the Amish Liberation Army is always militating against one thing or another.

Posted by hammerhead 2008-11-26 15:15|| 2008-11-26 15:15|| Front Page Top

#5 The terrorists, all clad in jeans and tee-shirts and carrying assault rifles are apparently searching for American and British citizens. One report says a group of westerners are hostage in a hotel. The board of Hindustan Lever are trapped in a hotel. One hotel lobby is afire.

Posted by john frum 2008-11-26 15:28|| 2008-11-26 15:28|| Front Page Top

#6 A facility used by the Jewish community has been attacked. Some Israeli citizens are thought to have been killed.

Posted by john frum 2008-11-26 15:34|| 2008-11-26 15:34|| Front Page Top

#7 Looks like a wild night in Mumbai. From the Mumbai Mirror...

1.55am: Fire in the old Taj Mahal Hotel building, started after the blast in the dome.
1.35am: Encounter specialist Vijay Salaskar killed in gunfight with terrorists. Anti-terrorism squad chief Hemant Karkare also reported killed! Additional Commissioner Ashok Tampte also killed in firing at Metro. Cops are in a complete state of shock!
1.32am: There is no official line of information forthcoming. Even the television channels are flashing contradicting reports. But it has been established that it is a terrorist attack
1.15am: Firing reported at Hotel Ramada, Juhu. Four policemen killed in gun fire.
1.05am: One more blast at the Taj Hotel and one at the Oberoi Hotel
1.04am: Firing continues at CST station. 1 journalist injured. Firing from police van
1.02am: Two terrorists driving a state government car is reported to be heading towards Malabar Hill where the chief minister and other dignitaries stay.
12. 57am: Terrorists are reportedly holed in Room No 360 and 361 of Taj hotel.
12.55am: 45 police personnel have entered New Taj Mahal Hotel. Entire area cordoned off. Entire police force is on the streets.
12.52am: 2 terrorists shot dead at Girgaum Chowpatty and 2 terrorists have been arrested. They were attired in army fatigues, were clean-shaven and fair
12.48am: Blast on dome of Old Taj Mahal hotel. Heavy smoke visible. 150 employees of Hindustan Lever who were having a seminar there, trapped inside the hotel. HLL Managing director suspected to be among them
12.46 am: 2 terrorists in black Honda City reportedly firing randomly
12.41am: Firing reported from outside Maharashtra assembly! Stations evacuated. Police sealed a suspicious boat at Mazagaon Dock - an extremely sensitive area.
12.40am: Terrorists reported to have escaped in a police van from Cama Hospital!! This is the height!
12.37am: 100 reported injured. CST station (outstation) littered with blood. Two terrorists have escaped from Cama hospital.
12.30 am: Army stationed across Mumbai. 200 NSG commandos expected to land in Mumbai any moment. Police about to launch offensive inside Taj Mahal hotel and Oberoi hotel. First priority is to take hostages out safely.
Report 12.20am: Terrorists lob hand grenade from Taj Hotel. Another blast outside Oberoi Hotel. 4 injured.
Report 12.18 am: Terrorists using AK 47 guns.
Report 12.13 am: 18 people reported dead. 30 injured.
Report 12.08 am: 10 people reported killed.
Report 12.02 am: Firing still reported from CST station. Grenade lobbed at police van. 2 terrorists holed up inside Capitol Cinema.
Report 11.59 pm: Terrorists enter Cama hospital. Firing reported from there. Trains stopped at Byculla. Firing still reported from Oberoi Hotel. 3 people arrested at Oberoi hotel. Not sure if they are the terrorists.
Report 11.52 pm: 3 police officers injured.
Report 11.47 pm: 2 terrorists are holed up inside Oberoi Hotel. 2 terrorists reach GT hospital. Maharashtra DGP A N Roy advises Mumbaikars to stay indoors. Railways IG KP Raghuwanshi confirms it's a terrorist attack. Fifteen people have been injured (which includes a tourist) in seven separate instances of firing at CST station, Colaba (near Taj Mahal hotel), Vile Parle, and Nariman Pt. According to reports, it was an attempt to take over the Taj Mahal hotel, and latest reports indicate that all the occupants of Taj Mahal hotel have been bundled into three rooms and are safe. Two terrorists are still inside Taj Mahal hotel, and paramilitary forces have entered the building. The lobby of the hotel is full of blood stains. Latest reports indicate that one more blast has been reported at Vile Parle. Office-goers in all these three areas have been stuck in their offices as the police has asked companies to shut their gates. Says Jasleen Kaur Gupta, who works with The Times of India, "We have been locked inside our offices and can hear huge bullet shots and even loud noises that sound like bomb blasts. We are very scared."

First gun shots were heard around 9.15 pm. Latest reports indicate Leopold Cafe has been vacated. Unconfirmed reports indicate two groups as being involved in the fracas. All these three areas are deserted. Cars were seen backing off hastily, and people were seen running helter-skelter.

According to reports, Nigerian terrorists are suspected to be involved.

There is also news that there has been a blast in a Colaba building. Police and paramilitary forces have arrived on the scene.

Posted by tu3031 2008-11-26 15:45|| 2008-11-26 15:45|| Front Page Top

#8 'Fair' in India is code for Muslim.

Nigerian terrorists? WTF!

Posted by phil_b 2008-11-26 15:59|| 2008-11-26 15:59|| Front Page Top

#9 Not clear if this is linked but NDTV is reporting,

Police confiscate two explosive laden boats off Chowpatty

Posted by phil_b 2008-11-26 16:15|| 2008-11-26 16:15|| Front Page Top

#10 Encounter specialist Vijay Salaskar has been killed fighting terrorists outside the Oberoi Hotel.

We have featured him on the Burg in the past.

RIP

Posted by john frum 2008-11-26 16:17|| 2008-11-26 16:17|| Front Page Top

#11 Searched for Vijay Salaskar. Found this interview with rediff.com. A Hero indeed. RIP.

Why did you join the police force?

Even as a young boy, I was very attracted by the idea of working for the enforcement of law and order.

Who was the first criminal you caught?

It was a hit-and-run case. A car accident. The chap had knocked down someone and instead of reporting it, he ran away. Someone managed to get the number of the vehicle and gave it to me. I traced it from the RTO and found the person who was driving the car. It was quite a simple case to solve.

Which was your first shootout?

It was in 1983. There was this chap called Raju Shahabuddin. He was basically a rapist, who also attempted to commit several murders. The shootout took place in Malad. One day I got the information that he was coming to Malad. We tracked him down quietly but he smelt the police was after him. So the moment we encountered him, he started shooting. In retaliation, we also fired. That was my first experience in getting shot at.

How did you acquire this reputation as a sharpshooter, an encounter specialist?

Frankly, I do not see myself in any such role. But people see me as that. The media sees me as that. Gradually perhaps I am coming to accept myself in the role. Though I must confess, I do not like such a reputation. It unnecessarily creates a bad impression, particularly among human rights activists. They feel I am a trigger-happy policeman. Famous for killing others. I do not enjoy having such a reputation, sir. I just do my job.

Why are you carrying two cell phones? Is one a hot line for informers?

Yes, you could say that. Informants contact me all the time. If I am busy with one phone, they can reach me on the other. This kind of information cannot wait.

Why do so many informers reach out to you? Is it because they get some kind of a reward? Or is it because your name is well known by now?

I think it is because they believe in me. They believe I will not relay the information to others, that I will not disclose their names. Reliability is very important. If people rely on me, they will tell me things that they will not tell others easily. That is the way we can anticipate crime, contain it.

Do you also believe that popular cinema has made an impact on crime in the city?

Yes, I do. I think crime is increasing because of many reasons. Films are one of them.

Why has crime become so romantic in our time?

You are referring, I think, to the film Satya. It has created a new sympathy for the underworld. If you see the Gawli gang, you will find that many among them marry each other in Dagdi Chawl. They have countless love affairs there. People, in fact, describe Dagdi Chawl as Prem Nagar. They fall in love with each other out there very easily. Women there have affection for and are attracted to criminals.

But why? Why is the criminal becoming such a colourful figure?

Can you blame these people? He wears so many gold chains around his neck, has ample money, cars, social recognition. People come to him for settling their disputes. One crore (10 million) here. Two crores there. Three crores somewhere else. You can see it with your own eyes, how these chaps wield so much power, so much importance.

Is it because traditional ways of seeking justice are failing or getting compromised? The courts take too long. The cops get bribed. The common man has nowhere to go.

That's right. That's why people go to them. Otherwise, why should they? Mostly they deal with civil matters because the police have no jurisdiction to get involved in civil crimes. If someone is cheated of Rs 500,000 today, where can he go? The courts will take years. So people find it simpler to go to criminals to recover their money. It is out of desperation more than anything else.

But the criminal extorts a huge fee for the service?

He does. But at least some money is recovered. The man feels that he has got something back. If you recovery even Rs 200,000 out of the Rs 500,000 (cheated from you), even that is something. It is better than losing the entire money. And the more important thing is that the money comes back immediately. You do not have to wait for years. If you go to court, what is the guarantee that even after 10 or 15 years you will get your money back?

From your experience, what kind of people are getting attracted to crime?

Young people. Anonymous people. People you cannot trace back.

Where do they come from? UP, Bihar, the interiors of Maharashtra?

Most of them are from Bombay itself.

Young, unemployed Maharashtrian boys?

Yes.

But why are they getting so attracted by crime? The absence of jobs?

After the Datta Samant strike, many mills closed down, many workers lost their jobs, their livelihood and went back to their roots. But their children refused to leave Bombay. They had become too used to it. They did not want to go back to the village and start life afresh in an unfamiliar environment. So they stayed back. But because they could not find proper employment, they slowly drifted into crime.

Which is the most powerful group in the criminal underworld today?

All of them are equally powerfully. Dawood, Chhota Rajan. Gawli. But Gawli is the most organised among them. He has to stay here in Bombay and, therefore, has no choice. The others live in Karachi and Malaysia and do not have to worry about their own safety. He lives here. He has to be better organised just to stay alive and in business. That is why he is putting so much effort into building his political empire. Every month he spends at least Rs 40 lakh (4 million) on his Akhil Bharatiya Sena.

Do you feel your life is constantly under threat?

Yes, but what can I do? On a job like this, what protection can anyone give you? In any case, we do not ask for more protection. What we ask for is recognition. We may get monetary rewards every time we catch a criminal or confiscate their weapons. But that is not what we risk our lives for. We risk our lives for recognition, for official acclaim. And we do not get enough of that, sir.

In other states, policemen of our rank are promoted when they capture or kill the most wanted criminals. I have captured and killed the biggest among them. I have risked my life many, many times. My family lives under the constant shadow of fear. On my job, I get a lot of support from my superiors but that is not the same as official recognition, promotions.

How does it feel to kill a man, looking him in the eye?

In a shootout, no one has time for such niceties. Either you kill or you get killed. I am plain lucky to still be alive. In this job, you know, we take one day at a time. Who can predict what tomorrow will bring?

Posted by sludge 2008-11-26 16:31|| 2008-11-26 16:31|| Front Page Top

#12 Indian Navy MARCOS (their version of the SEALs) have left the Oberoi with three bodies, suspected to be terrorists

Posted by john frum 2008-11-26 16:38|| 2008-11-26 16:38|| Front Page Top

#13 Indian Army convoys rolling into Mumbai - Grenadier Regiment

Posted by john frum 2008-11-26 16:41|| 2008-11-26 16:41|| Front Page Top

#14 "Deccan Mujahideen" is claiming responsibility for the attacks.

Just as I suspected! The Buddhists!

Posted by sludge 2008-11-26 16:49|| 2008-11-26 16:49|| Front Page Top

#15 Watching the NDTV feed on FNC. The fire at the Taj while the cricket headlines sports ticker runs underneath.

Posted by Skunky Glins 5***">Skunky Glins 5*** 2008-11-26 17:21|| 2008-11-26 17:21|| Front Page Top

#16 "Just as I suspected! The Buddhists!"

I was thinking those dastardly Amish were behind it, myself.

Posted by crosspatch 2008-11-26 17:53|| 2008-11-26 17:53|| Front Page Top

#17 Everywhere Islam goes
Death and destruction follows

Posted by Unuting the Anonymous6443 2008-11-26 17:56|| 2008-11-26 17:56|| Front Page Top

#18 3 hostage situations, 16 groups of terrorists attacked targets

Posted by john frum 2008-11-26 17:57|| 2008-11-26 17:57|| Front Page Top

#19 Terror attacks like this, targeted against broad groups like - 'Westerners, 'Jews', 'wealthy', 'Christians', etc. without any concern about specific targets is very likely to eventually lead to similar reprisals: "Attack by Muslims - ok, take out a Muslim district, pick one." Escalation leads of course to: "Nuke Mecca."

Posted by Glenmore">Glenmore 2008-11-26 18:00|| 2008-11-26 18:00|| Front Page Top

#20 All hostages at Nariman house are dead.
Victims were Indian Jews and Israelis.

Posted by john frum 2008-11-26 18:01|| 2008-11-26 18:01|| Front Page Top

#21 I encourage the Indian government to, once they exterminate these scum, that they invite their extended families to move to Pakistan, with transportation provided by Indian army trucks.

The Muslims have worn out their welcome in India.

Posted by Anonymoose 2008-11-26 18:11|| 2008-11-26 18:11|| Front Page Top

#22 Three top cops die on duty

Three police officers, including chief of ATS Hemant Karkare, encounter specialist Vijay Salaskar and additional commissioner Ashok Kamte succumbed to their injuries in Wednesday's terror attack.

Karkare, IPS officer of the 1982 batch, had served in RAW for nine years and was made the ATS chief in January this year.

Vijay Salaskar, officer of the 1983 batch, had till recently killed around 75 dreaded criminals in police encounters. After being out of the spotlight for quite sometime, the encounter specialist was given the plum posting of heading the anti-extortion wing of the crime branch.

Ashok Kamte was the DCP, Zone 1, in Mumbai and was also the key officer in state police. He had also served as the commissioner of Solapur and was always known to be in the thick of action.

Posted by john frum 2008-11-26 18:27|| 2008-11-26 18:27|| Front Page Top

#23 Sorry this is happening to your people, John Frum.
This is the terroism that the US libs say 'isn't a problem', all hype from GWB's neo-cons, blather blather. BhzerO will have his hands full in less than 60 days, as will the rest of the civilized world.

Posted by Muggsy Glink 2008-11-26 18:32|| 2008-11-26 18:32|| Front Page Top

#24 Motive? Clearly not the death of the victims, per se. And no chance of military victory over India. Seems like they are trying to crack the Indian economy to foster internal dissent. And/or to incite some reprisals to force a broader conflict, either within India or between India and Pakistan: in either case they would anticipate being able to pick up the pieces from the resulting chaos. Tried & failed with the strategy in Iraq, & seems even less likely to work here, but .....?

Posted by Glenmore">Glenmore 2008-11-26 18:38|| 2008-11-26 18:38|| Front Page Top

#25 vidcap from security camera - two terrorists

Posted by john frum 2008-11-26 18:40|| 2008-11-26 18:40|| Front Page Top

#26 Navy commandos have reportedly stormed the Oberoi hotel where hostages are being held

Posted by john frum 2008-11-26 18:58|| 2008-11-26 18:58|| Front Page Top

#27

Rabbi Gavriel Holtzberg, left, is the co-director of Chabad-Lubavitch of Mumbai, India. His whereabouts are unknown following one of the worst terrorist attacks in India's history.

Posted by john frum 2008-11-26 19:00|| 2008-11-26 19:00|| Front Page Top

#28 The reason, in my humble opinion, is to divide India from the West. To make the West reluctant to invest in and deal with India and to make Indians willing to allow potential targets into their nations.

The result, as far as I'm concerned is to give India carte blanche to deal with Kashmir however they damn well feel at this point.

Posted by rjschwarz 2008-11-26 19:54|| 2008-11-26 19:54|| Front Page Top

#29 The population of Pakistan needs to double overnight. Or cut in half. Either works.

Posted by ed 2008-11-26 20:05|| 2008-11-26 20:05|| Front Page Top

#30 A map of the attack sites

Posted by tipper 2008-11-26 20:23|| 2008-11-26 20:23|| Front Page Top

#31 Rarely do I watch CNN but was trying to get various news feeds. This bitch on now is already talking about disaffected Muslim youth who were left behind by the tech boom and that they were angry with the harsh treatment by the CTS when they cracked down on Islamic terrorist recently. WTF

Posted by hammerhead 2008-11-26 20:53|| 2008-11-26 20:53|| Front Page Top

#32 A friend of mine is from Mumbai, and his family still live there. He's obviously on the phone, since I can't get in touch with him. Whoever is behind this needs to pay a HEAVY, HEAVY price. If it's the ISI (most likely), Islamabad needs to become part of Indian territory - along with much of the rest of Failedistan.

Posted by Old Patriot">Old Patriot 2008-11-26 21:37|| http://oldpatriot.blogspot.com/]">[http://oldpatriot.blogspot.com/] 2008-11-26 21:37|| Front Page Top

#33 Long time the muzzies where thrown out of India. They have been nothing but a cancer.

Posted by DarthVader 2008-11-26 21:40|| 2008-11-26 21:40|| Front Page Top

#34 Does anyone know what 'Deccan' means in Arabic or Farsi?

Posted by Linker 2008-11-26 21:47|| 2008-11-26 21:47|| Front Page Top

#35 Live Streaming footage

Posted by tipper 2008-11-26 21:48|| 2008-11-26 21:48|| Front Page Top

#36 RT TV (Russia) is saying that the terrorists are ISI sleeper cells, activated because the new Pak Govt is curtailing the ISI...?

Posted by Linker 2008-11-26 21:53|| 2008-11-26 21:53|| Front Page Top

#37 Deccan refers to a geographic area like appalachian.

Posted by phil_b 2008-11-26 22:01|| 2008-11-26 22:01|| Front Page Top

#38 Thanks phil_b.

Posted by linker 2008-11-26 22:08|| 2008-11-26 22:08|| Front Page Top

#39 CBS radio reporting that Delta has cancelled today's flight to Bombay (presumably from NY) and is contemplating cancelling the flights for the rest of the week. Northwest and Continental are considering following suit.

The economic jihad commences.

Posted by Seafarious 2008-11-26 22:23|| 2008-11-26 22:23|| Front Page Top

#40 RIP Encounter Specialist Vijay Salaskar (Scroll down to the end of comment #4). You will be missed.

Posted by Seafarious 2008-11-26 22:30|| 2008-11-26 22:30|| Front Page Top

#41 The bastards are attacking hospitals now. This STILL isn't over yet apparently.

I am afraid Pakistan is going to have hell to pay over this if they don't take some drastic internal action ... and QUICKLY.

Posted by crosspatch 2008-11-26 22:36|| 2008-11-26 22:36|| Front Page Top

#42 IBN showing live pics outside Nariman House. Shooting an hour ago. Police preparing to fire tear gas.

Posted by phil_b 2008-11-26 22:39|| 2008-11-26 22:39|| Front Page Top

#43 If the consequences of Pakistan's sins were visited upon them, I would not shed a tear

Posted by Frank G">Frank G 2008-11-26 23:02|| 2008-11-26 23:02|| Front Page Top

#44 "The bastards are attacking hospitals now."

a hospital for women and children, no less.

Posted by Fester Creanter3194 2008-11-26 23:03|| 2008-11-26 23:03|| Front Page Top

#45 ibn reports 8 cases of RDX found behind Taj hotel

Posted by phil_b 2008-11-26 23:48|| 2008-11-26 23:48|| Front Page Top

#46 IBN is also reporting that the curious are coming to see what's going on. Why don't they have the immediate area around the hotels locked down? Also reporting a cinema being targeted.

Posted by djh_usmc 2008-11-26 23:55|| 2008-11-26 23:55|| Front Page Top

23:55 djh_usmc
23:48 phil_b
23:47 g(r)omgoru
23:25 Whiskey Mike
23:16 crosspatch
23:09 ed
23:04 Anonymoose
23:03 Fester Creanter3194
23:02 Frank G
22:53 crosspatch
22:44 KBK
22:40 crosspatch
22:39 phil_b
22:36 crosspatch
22:30 Seafarious
22:23 Seafarious
22:08 linker
22:01 phil_b
21:53 Linker
21:53 Verlaine
21:48 tipper
21:47 Linker
21:40 DarthVader
21:37 Old Patriot