People Can't Understand

People Can't Understand what the intensity of the attack was, how well coordinated it was, the terror and deadly after effects, except for those who lost loved ones.
In the video below, i compare the attacks to situations in popular movies showing the similarity of the attacks to the movies and showing how people feel the tragic situation in the movie and can't feel the intensity and understand that this happened in real life !



So,
Being In India, I see the attack everywhere - TV, News, Newspapers, Radio..
The only thing in front of my eyes but i see people who say life will go on, Life will and should go on but this amount of terror is not forgettable. It has 'literally' changed Mumbai. With it emerging stronger and better even after the huge losses it beared in the past few days.

2152 Hrs : Report

Total Deaths : 151
Total Injuries : 327

The death toll from Wednesday's attacks in nine locations was 151 -- including three Germans, two Americans, an Italian, a Briton, an Australian and one Chinese among the at least 15 foreigners killed -- with a further 327 injured.

The killed Americans have been identified as Alan Scherr, 58, and his daughter Naomi, 13, from Virginia. They were visiting India with a meditation group at died at the Oberoi.

Operation at Nariman House :
Status : Complete
Terrorists : 4
Killed : 4
Hostages - Multiple - Mostly Israeli
Killed : 4
NSG (National Security Guard)
Casualities : 1
Killed In Action : 1

A part of the building collapsed due to extensive grenade attacks.

Operation at Trident Oberoi Hotel :
Status : Complete
Terrorists : 2
Killed : 2
Hostages - Multiple - Different Nationalities
Killed : 30 (Still Searching)
NSG (National Security Guard)
Casualities : 1
Killed In Action : 1

Building Caught Multiple fires. Firefighters still battling them.


Operation at Hotel Taj Mahal :
Status : Ongoing
Terrorists : 4-6
Killed : 1
Hostages - Multiple - Different Nationalities

The Hotel is a heritage structure one of the most expensive and the best in India which had been started 105 years ago. It stands just 200 meters from the Monument Of the Gateway Of India.
It has caught multiple fires, India's best Japanese restaurant has been totally charred and casualities, firefights, and bomb attacks in different locations continue.

No new word by the PM since yesterday.

The Attack is believed to have been done by, as they claim to be the 'Deccan Mujahideen'.
It was an unknown group before the attack.
Leading to an attack at this level of terror doesn't seem to be possible by a small group.
Indian news channels report the help from the infamous underworld don, Daud Abraham who is alleged of executing severe bomb-blasts in the city of Mumbai in 1993 , the wounds of which have been freshened lately. The channel IBN 7 claims that it has evidences of terrorist taking help from daud, as he helped terrorist to get the training and weaponary and also helped them entered the indian waters using indian ships captured by Pakistan. Intel suggests that Daud currently resides in Saudi Arabia.

Shefali Yogendara & Twitter

As i posted about twitter shutting down or being overheated for 10 minutes, this blog story emerged up. I felt a bit of unoriginality as that same content posted on her blog was broadcasted on CNN a little while ago where a chat took place on people and their connection with social networking.This is related to both socaial networking and the the mumbai attacks - the story which I've been following since the past 7 hours continuously and analyzing every step taken by each side. Well, If you missed it on CNN - This is worth a read...

As Mumbai saw an unprecedented instance of what can only be described as ‘distributed terrorism’, Twitter sprung into action. Twelve hours later, Twitter users all over the world were saying they found Twitter updates more reliable, timely and clear.

The following characteristics of Twitter make it a perfect tool for use in emergencies - both for disseminating updates and information, and for coordinating help efforts such as contacting friends and relatives, and organising blood donation drives.

Distributed system

Twitter is a distributed system with a high level of heterogeneity. Individual Twitter users have ‘follower’ and ‘following’ lists of people in different countries. These relationships are based on their common interests and other criteria e.g. I follow only those who are at least two of these: ‘informative’, ‘interesting’, ‘dialectical’, ‘original’.

The distributed nature of Twitter means that many people can cover many sources of information in many geographical locations. Their 140-character messages, or ‘tweets’, can also reach their widely disbursed ‘followers’.

Scalable system

When these ‘tweets’ reach the ‘followers’, they can then decide to ‘RT’ or re-tweet the messages to their own ‘followers’, thus disseminating the information quite widely, quite quickly.

Self-organising system

Pretty quickly after the Mumbai gunfires, grenades and car-bombs became common knowledge, a hashtag #mumbai was settled upon for Twitter users.

Hashtags helps Twitterers classify and annotate their tweets, and separate them from the other traffic. Those looking for information could just go to Twitter Search with this hashtag and follow the developments.

Self-regulating system

The morning after the incidents began, there were unsubstantiated rumours that the Indian government was trying to block Twitter for security reasons. These were quashed or otherwise not re-tweeted since there was no confirmation from official sources.

Twitter users also were quick to condemn mainstream media for broadcasting live details of every move by the police and the commandos, and every gunshot or explosion.

These behaviours demonstrate a degree of self-regulation, self-correction and responsibility in the system.

Feeder system

Twitter helped the creation and preparation of meta-documents where information was documented and live-updated for those who are not on Twitter and looking for information. The Wikipedia page on Mumbai Attacks came into being within a couple of hours of the terrorism incident beginning. The blog MumbaiHelp came together for information and help quickly after too. As Vinu’s Flickr stream of photos went online, he spent much time talking to CNN and other news channels. In these instances, Twitter acts as a feeder system to other sources of information, more permanent perhaps that millions of tweets that can become overwhelming for some.

As the Taj Mahal Palace hotel burned, I watched with disbelief. I tweeted: I don’t know if the heritage is being razed or the future is being set alight… Here is a shot I captured from BBC News on television.

The Taj Mahal Palace Hotel on fire (image captured from BBC News)

So, what about India?

Life is difficult but it is so for everyone, especially when it comes to terrorism. But I remain bullish about India. That I can write such an analytical piece about something so emotive suggests I am back to being my calm, rational self. What about you?

Last Report

101 Killed
288 Injured

Hidden Gun Battle Going On At Trident

Media : Hidden gun battle taking place at all locations of terror attacks.

Smoke Converts To Fire

The Black Smoke which seemed to have been coming out at Taj has converted to fire again.

A Trident..

NSG says-
They have to fight fire more than the terrorists.
Black smoke comes out of the hotel.

Longest terror attack on India.

11 policemen Dead.
5 Terrorist killed
1 Terrorist Captured
6 Still Free
Champions League Matches canceled and taken out of Mumbai.

Sources say : we're watching the end game.

Reports are flooding all around that the encounters would end soon. We are watching the end game.

More than 100 residents at Trident which have locked themselves.

Report says that there are more than 100 residents at Trident which have locked themselves in their rooms so the NSG will have to be careful.

NSG : Floor 18 Critical to clear at Trident

The NSG says that Floor 18 is very very Critical to clear at Trident, terrorists suspected to have set up there.

Oberoi Hotel ; Most Hostages Foreigners

There are no attempts to negotiate with the terrorists.
There is no way to contact them.
As it was told, Terrorist searched for people with British and American Passports.
Most of the hostages at trident oberoi are foreigners.

Search For Terrorist Ship Aborted.

Since the theory was presented that the terrorists entered from the sea, The navy started a search for a terrorist ship in the oceans but latest report says that the search has been called off. And there was no terror ship.

Firing increases in Oberoi

Firing has reportedly increased in Oberoi according to CNN IBN.
It seems NSG is zeroing in on Terrorists.

4 Militants and 25 Hostages Still There at Trident Hotel

At The Trident Oberoi,
The hostage situation has'nt been resolved.
A coalition team of the Army, The NSG, and The Marines have been sent inside.
They'll be scanning the hotel Floor by floor - room by room.

Hope the Security Didn't make a mistake.

As it earlier happened, the CT forces have many flaws in their method of operation.
There were no roadblocks set up around the terror targets which allowed 2 terrorist to flee in a police jeep ! These kind of flaws would never allow the National Security to pose as a mighty threat to terrorists.

CAN YOU BELIEVE IT ? : Those terrorists escaped in police Cars !!

This time, the report on a final encounter has been released but still there might be flaws.
Even if the TV connections to the hotel have not been blocked, it's easy for the terrorists to know what is happening outside! I'm sure, when they can forget to set up roadblocks, they could forget anything !

PM : Zero Tolerance Towards Terrorism

The Pm Just Declared In his conference that the government would show ZERO TOLERANCE for terrorism....
But this is what the government always promises.
Maybe things would be better this time when allied countries would step up together to create a better and peaceful tomorrow.

National Guard : We Hope To finish the operations within the next 30 minutes.

National Security hopes To finish the operations within the next 30 minutes.
The Final Encounter is ON.

Indian Prime Minister Holds Press Confrence.

The Indian Prime Minister has finally hosted a press conference.
It is being broadcasted live on all indian news channels.
Click here to see it live : http://edition.cnn.com/video/flashLive/live.html?stream=stream3

Twitter Temprorarily Down..

Apparently Due to too many posting and server hits due to the arousing news about the Mumbai terror attack, twitter hasn't been accessible since the past ten minutes.

Another large blast at Taj Hotel In Mumbai.

Another recent blast was reported at the Taj Hotel In Mumbai.
It has been classified as a larger blast.
There is no news yet about the hostages and army men inside the hotel.
Updates will be posted soon.

A Twitter Page

Although this is not news, this is to inform that a new twitter page has also been opened (like millions others) giving the quickest updates on what happens and how.
Keep following us and CNN !

Attacks On Mumbai : CNN Video

Prime Minister To Host a Press Confrence

It's taken a whopping 18.5 hours for the prime minister to host a press conference.
I understand what it would be and how busy was he but media and awareness is no more a priority. Although this is no complaint - it's debatable.

Why Hasn't The Prime Minister Of India Issued a press confrence yet.

Since the last update at around 3:00 PM (IST) - As i follow CNN, i see no statement issued by the prime minister yet..
There have been messages from U.S president George W Bush and from President Elect Barack Obama, also there have been messages from the British Prime Minister and the British government for condemning the attacks and that the head of their counter terrorist forces would arrive India on Monday to help India fight back this terror attack which took place on this scale.

NO HOSTAGE AT TAJ, CLAIMS COPS

Mumbai: Maharashtra Director General of Police Anami Narayan Roy has said that there is no hostage situation at the Taj Hotel even as at least six terrorists are still holed up in the two hotels where commandos are trying to flush them out.

"There is no hostage situation at Taj Hotel. Guests are still there in hotel rooms. But the possibility of terrorists inside the hotel cannot be ruled out. Search operation is on right now along with NSG," Roy said.

National Security Guard (NSG) Director General Jyoti Krishan Dutt said the commandos are clearing the Taj floor by floor.

"This is slightly complicated operation and our job is to ensure safety of people trapped inside. We are moving in floor by floor and ensuring that nobody is inside the rooms. Some rooms are locked from inside which we are asking them to vacate. There are dead bodies and injured on the floors. We are sending them to hospital," Dutt said.

He also declined to give a time frame for the operation.

"It's difficult to say how long we will take to take situation under control. But I'm positive that things are under control and no further damage is expected," he said.

"We can't move in fast in both the hotels because we are not sure that how many terrorist are hiding on the top floors. We don't want to be caught by their sniper bullets. We suspect that in both the hotels that there at least six terrorist but there is no confirmation on the exact figure," he added.

Officials also confirmed that six dead bodies have been recovered from Taj Hotel till now.

At least four terrorists are holed up in the Taj Hotel and 40 to 50 guests still trapped, a senior army officer had said on Thursday morning.

"In this area there are four to five terrorists," Major General RK Hooda, General Officer Commanding of Maharashtra, Goa and Gujarat, who is at the Taj Hotel, said.

There are an estimated 40 to 50 guests still trapped in the hotel, he added.

- CNN IBN

Last Report - Death Toll | Injuries | Coverage

Dead : 101 (Subject To Change)
Injured : 314 (Subject To Change)

At least six foreigners were killed in the series of attacks across southern Mumbai, according to a state official.
Indian police are still battling to release hostages the morning after gunmen carried out brazen attacks across southern Mumbai, killing more than 100 people and taking hostages in multiple locations.

A standoff continued at the Oberoi Hotel, where about 100 members of a specialized unit of the Indian police undertook an operation to rescue four to five foreigners hostages on the 19th floor.

About four to six people were believed to be holed up in the Taj, said A.N. Roy, the Maharashtra police chief.

The death toll from the series of coordinated attacks was at 101 by midday Thursday authorities said. The number of people wounded in the attacks has also been raised to 314, said Pradeep Indulkar, deputy secretary for Maharashtra, the state where Mumbai is located.

A British citizen and another from Australia were among the dead, said Pradeep Indulkar, deputy secretary for Maharashtra state, where Mumbai is located. A Japanese businessman was also killed, the country's foreign ministry confirmed.

The nationalities of the other foreigners killed were not yet available.

In addition, at least nine gunmen were killed in gunfire exchange with police. Seven British citizens were wounded in the attacks, as were two Australians, officials from the two countries said.

Also among the victims was Hemant Karkare, the chief of the Mumbai police's anti-terror squad was among those killed, and as many as 11 police officers.

An American woman who was still inside the Taj with her husband told CNN by phone Thursday that television feeds into the room have stopped and she did not know what was going on.

"We have water and we're hunkered down and patient and ready to wait it out," she said. "We're OK. Last night was a different story, but today we're OK."

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.

Gunmen also remained holed up in a building called Nariman House, where several Jewish families live. Police said the men fired indiscriminately from the building throughout the night and into Thursday morning. Stray bullets killed a couple in their home and a 16-year-old boy who stepped outside, police said.

CNN's sister station CNN-IBN reported that three people, who appeared to be foreigners, escaped from the building. Police have the building surrounded and exchanged gunfire in which one of the gunmen reportedly was killed, CNN-IBN said.

A standoff at a fourth location -- the Cama Hospital for women and infants -- also appeared to have been resolved by Thursday morning, CNN-IBN reported. It was not immediately known whether gunmen at the hospital fled or were killed.

Reaction from the United Nations, United States and United Kingdom was swift as world leaders joined in condemning the attacks. Read more on the international reaction

Authorities asked residents in Mumbai to stay inside, uncertain whether other attacks were planned in the city.

Mumbai remained locked down with police checking cars randomly. The stock market in the city -- the financial capital of India -- was closed, as were schools and colleges.

Government officials said the attacks caught them completely unaware, with no intelligence chatter indicating that such a coordinated assault was in the works.

"It's war on Mumbai," read the banner headline on the front page of The Times of India.

Police say the attackers came by boats to the waterfront near the Gateway of India monument.

Of the nine suspects police arrested in connection with the attacks, seven are fishermen. Police also found a boat loaded with explosives near the Taj, also located on the waterfront.

"Those men were wearing jackets and they carried big, big, bags," one fisherman told CNN-IBN.

Said another: "We asked, 'Where are you coming from?' They said, 'Go do your work.'"

The gunmen then hijacked cars -- including a police van -- and broke into at least three groups to carry out the attacks, police said.

One group headed toward the Cafe Leopold, a popular hangout for Western tourists, firing indiscriminately at passersby on the street. They then opened fire and lobbed grenades at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus railway station, a Victorian building.

As police rushed to the scene of the attacks, gunmen -- possibly part of the first group -- attacked the Cama Hospital.

Two other groups attacked the two luxury hotels frequented by Westerners.

Bhushan Gagrani, a spokesman for Maharashtra, said no one had claimed responsibility for the attacks.

But several Indian news outlets reported receiving e-mails from a group calling itself the Deccan Mujahideen that claimed responsibility for the attacks. CNN was not able to verify the reports.

A man told local television that he was in the Oberoi around 10 p.m. when gunmen entered the lobby and began rounding up guests, asking for anyone with a U.S. or British passport and taking about 15 of them hostage.

India has suffered a number of attacks in recent years, including a string of bombs that ripped through packed Mumbai commuter trains and platforms during rush hour in July 2006. About 209 people were killed in that attack.

Last July, a series of synchronized bomb blasts in the western Indian city of Ahmedabad left 49 dead and more than 100 wounded, police said.

Courtesy : CNN