Suspected terrorists attempt to hijack Taj Mahal hotel. Firing and bomb blasts 9 places in Mumbai. 60 killed, 30 injured.. Nigerian terrorist gang suspected to be involved. Attempt has been to capture Taj Mahal hotel

By R Sridhar
Posted On Wednesday, November 26, 2008

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.

No official comment has been forthcoming.

Originally posted by Raustin
reply to post by t0ken

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Can we go ahead and avoid turning this into an anti India tirade? I don't care who started it, innocent people are dying here. I'm not in the mood for a terrorist appologist right now.

Originally posted by t0ken

Originally posted by Raustin
reply to post by t0ken

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Can we go ahead and avoid turning this into an anti India tirade? I don't care who started it, innocent people are dying here. I'm not in the mood for a terrorist appologist right now.

Only 80 innocent people died and youre jumping up and down like it's 9/11?

Indian millitary has probably killed around 200 muslim kashmiris within past 2-3weeks due to elections not going very well in their favour.