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Big Terror Strike in India: Mumbai Under Siege

Posted by SWARAAJ CHAUHAN, International Columnist in At TMV.
Nov 26th, 2008 | Comments

Mumbai, or Bombay, India’s business hub, is under siege. NDTV, India’s leading television channel, reports that more than 100 people have been killed and hundreds injured in a series of well-coordinated major terrorist attacks at 10 places. (Photo above: India’s famous Taj Hotel under attack: Courtesy Times of India.

“Gunmen wanted anyone with British or American passport,” said one eye-witness. (Meanwhile an Israeli rabbi is among at least three people being held hostage by gunmen in a Mumbai apartment building. The Israeli rescue service Zaka, an ultra-Orthodox organization, identified the hostages as Rabbi Gabriel Holtzberg and his wife, Rivka. Israeli media reported an unspecified number of Israelis were being held hostage in other hotels and sites in Mumbai.)

“Fresh firing resumes at the hotels, Army is out and encounters are still on.

“There is a desperate hostage situation in at least two locations — the Taj and the Trident hotels. In the Taj Colaba, at least 100 people are believed to be trapped probably held hostage by terrorists.

“At least 12 policemen have been killed across the city, including the head of the Maharashtra state Anti-Terror Squad Hemant Karkare, who was shot three times in the chest. Well-known ‘encounter’ specialist Vijay Salaskar is also dead. Additional Commissioner of Police Sadanand Date is critical.

“Every top line anti-terror force in the country has been pushed into Mumbai including commandos of the National Security Guard, Marine Commandos and Army commandos. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has called an emergency Cabinet meeting. Home Minister Shivraj Patil is back in Delhi from Mumbai for the meet.

[EDITOR'S NOTE: TMV International Columnist Swaraaj Chauhan is a veteran New Delhi journalist who lives in India.]

“ More here…

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slalithalakshmi

I wish our political class had taken the same kind of action, to all the terror situations, which have occurred v. v, frequently in our country, like they have taken, to yesterday & today's situation. It seems to me that the Govt reacts only, in this commendable manner, when upper class people staying in five star hotels or foreigners are involved,. I feel v.v. sorry about the people who have been affected by this terrible situation & the families of our brave soldiers & other police persons, who have lost their lives. If any help can be rendered by ordinary people like me, anything at all, i would be glad to do so. I wish the people who committed this crime are apprehended & punished, without any mercy what so ever.

Prashantmehta

I stand by the men that died protecting the Mumbai we love. I wish the guardians and so called protectors of the city (read Raj Thackeray and the likes) would have died rather than these brave men. The city does'nt move on because of great spirit , it staggers on because it has to !! All of this after the be calm appeals at all times. We cant hang the man that attacked the highest institution (Parliament) after the highest court in the country sentences him to death. Sometimes I think we deserve this after choosing spineless leaders.

Reach me on mail.prashantm@gmail.com

archangel

dear slalithalakshmi and dear Prashantmehta... as an admirer of matters and people of India via my East Indian friends here in the US, please know that we wend strongest prayer to India, all of India, and now Mumbai's people as well. May all be comforted. Hang in there. We're not apart in heart or soul. Right there with you.

dr.e
assistant editor The Moderate Voice

slalithalakshmi

I wish India & USA work together, being the biggest democracies, to wipe out such terror attacks. May be our country needs another emergency, with a selfless leader at its helm, who is beyond party, name, fame, money, & who lives only for India's welfare & welfare alone. I feel that I will never see my dreams come true & that we deserve this fate, being a country of selfish people. We always clean our house, but never feel bad about our filthy surroundings( we are the cause of that, I feel). We are bothered about caste & religious feelings, do not react to such atrocities & use only platitudes to describe such terror strikes. When I hear about our people's patience, fortitude, courage, spirit etc, my blood boils at the thought of the senseless people, who utter them. As if anyone of those persons who live in such situations have any choice to sit at home. Most of us have to put up with them & go for our routine work, as we have no other go.

archangel

may your best dreams for India come true Slalithalakshmi

dr.e

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