{"id":916,"date":"2008-11-26T19:18:50","date_gmt":"2008-11-26T19:18:50","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ietransfer.wpengine.com\/?p=916"},"modified":"2008-11-26T19:18:50","modified_gmt":"2008-11-26T19:18:50","slug":"newsflash-mumbai-under-fire","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/inspiredeconomist.com\/articles\/newsflash-mumbai-under-fire\/","title":{"rendered":"Mumbai Terror Update: Terrorists Have Planned This For 6 Months"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Over 150 people have been killed in a Mumbai terror scene that eerily resembles the 9\/11 attacks on the World Trade Center in New York. The terror scene has been unfolding in Mumbai since late Wednesday night (November 25th) and has carried on beyond 48 hours. Although a group known as the Deccan Mujahideen has claimed responsibility, there is speculation that that the series of coordinated attacks is part of a larger international conspiracy. One of the terrorists that was arrested has confirmed that the attack was planned more than 6 months ago and that more than 40 terrorists came to India – 29 of them were from Pakistan and the others were from Bangladesh.<\/h3>\n

154 dead, 327 injured; Indian commandos and hotel staff from the Taj and Oberoi hotel are looked upon as heroes.<\/h3>\n

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Terrorists stormed Mumbai, India’s commercial capital<\/strong> in a coordinated effort that has wreaked havoc over the entire city. The Taj<\/strong> and the Oberoi,<\/strong> Mumbai’s two leading hotels, Chatrapati Shivaj<\/strong>i station, the main train station, Leopold Cafe<\/strong> in the Colaba<\/strong> area and several other spots including a gas station, hospitals and public areas near Mumbai’s domestic airport were attacked.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, investigators are examining satellite phone and GPS found on trawler seized in Arabian Sea.<\/p>\n

Hostages held in Mumbai’s Leading Hotels<\/h3>\n

Hostages were held in both of the above hotels. The Taj<\/strong> hotel was significantly damaged by fire which burned intermittently through the night. The top floor of this heritage hotel completely collapsed.<\/p>\n

At least 100 hostages were held inside the Taj hotel. Many Taj staff and guests have died or are injured. Authorities found 8 kilograms (17 pounds) of RDX, one of the most powerful kinds of military explosives, at a restaurant near the Taj, indicating that the attackers may have been planning more attacks. Armies checked dead bodies within the hotel for booby traps. Rescue operations are on however the recovery is slow.<\/p>\n

Hostages were also held in the Trident hotel, an Oberoi property. NDTV reported that the lobby of the Oberoi Hotel was on fire and authorities were in a skirmish with terrorists inside the hotel. According to eyewitnesses, half of the hostages were non-Indians, with U.S. and UK passport holders apparently the main targets.<\/p>\n

Hostages were also held in Nariman House, a Jewish residential building.<\/a><\/p>\n

Army commandos have entered both hotels and an encounter is underway. Commandos are holding talks with the terrorists.
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Terrorists Arrived By Boat<\/h3>\n

A boat laden with arms was found docked at the harbor just a short way away from the Taj hotel. The terrorists <\/strong>used rubber dinghies to bring AK-47s, hand grenades and bombs to the shore.<\/p>\n

Deccan Mujahideen Claims Responsibility<\/h3>\n

Even as a little-known Deccan Mujahideen<\/strong> group claimed responsibility for the coordinated terror strikes in Mumbai<\/strong> on Wednesday night, the identity and nature of the attack has left security agencies baffled. In the camera shots of a suspected terrorist involved in the gruesome shootout ever to be undertaken by terrorists, the AK-47 <\/strong>wielding youth comes across as an average youngster. Dressed in a black half T-shirt and jeans with a blue rucksack hung over his left shoulder and red sacred thread tied on his right wrist, one might just mistake him to be just another regular college going student.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Mumbai Cops Have Been Killed<\/h3>\n

Reports have come in that encounter specialist cop Vijay Salaskar<\/a> and Additional Commissioner of Police Ashok Kamte<\/a> have been killed, and that Hemant Karkare<\/a>, head of the anti-terrorist squad, has also succumbed to injuries. Navy and National Security Guards have also been called for help.6<\/a><\/sup><\/p>\n

Mumbai Terror Highlights<\/h4>\n