[randomviolins]

I have to think bijapuri may be on to something. At least, it's hard for me to understand how such a heavily-armed group could have gotten into the country, and specifically into such a high-risk area, so easily -- when you consider the prior attacks in recent years and the fact that the Navy has (or used to have -- I haven't been in India in a while, so please correct me if I'm wrong) an outpost right there off the Taj.

[Sama]

I've been watching CNN and MSNBC all day and both report that counter-terrorist sources believe that this attack has been planned for months, that some of these guys had already been working inside the hotels. also, one of the first places hit was the police station, where they killed the police and used their uniforms to infiltrate. these guys may have been young, but no amateurs -- news sources say they had plenty of training but their weapons were low-tech.

[randomviolins]

One of the correspondents at CNN (Wolf Blitzer) just made a remark about there apparently being little security at the hotels. I don't know what kind of high-tech or low-tech security they have had recently, but I personally experienced being stopped and asked to show identification (as a paying customer!) during one of my stays at the Taj in the past.

On one of my stays, a VIP was staying on the same floor in the older wing of the Taj. (I don't recall whether it was a foreign defense minister or just a governor or other high-ranking official from one of the Indian states.) I recall that during that stay, the whole floor was crawling with security personnel -- although many (or all) of them may have been in the VIP's entourage rather than part of the hotel's staff.

[SteveK]

If some of the terrorists have been working in the hotel(s) for some time, it would surely be fairly easy for them, as members of staff, to bring in all sorts of things to the premises. Maybe they brought in weapons, ammunition, explosives, etc and stashed it somewhere ready for the gig?

[randomviolins]

In some ways CNN's coverage has been rather amateurish, when you consider the high quality of the professional journalists who are based in India and report on India news to the Indian populace every day.

A prime example is that one of the correspondents who was reporting for CNN on the commando rescue attack at the Chabad House was delayed because, he said, the driver mistakenly went to the domestic rather than the international airport (or vice versa). Now, anybody who has dealt with the airport KNOWS that the domestic and international airports are for all intents and purposes essentially different airports. A seasoned crew familiar with Mumbai would never have made that mistake.

I'm not sure how much of this was the result of many Americans being off on Thursday for a US holiday.

[kalbarri]

Originally Posted by randomviolins

With 51 pages to this thread already, I'm afraid I haven't read the whole thing. But a few of my thoughts.

I am still shocked, as everyone is, about this episode, but I think more so because the terrorists were seeking out US and British nationals. I was planning to travel to Mumbai a few days ago and would have stayed at the Taj or the Oberoi, at least for the first few days. The only thing that kept me from going was that I procrastinated so long in finalizing the plans that the cost for the airline tickets would have been too high. This was one time that procrastinating may have literally saved my life.

your angel there was obviously keeping an eye on you. congratulations

[tripsammy]

We returned from India last week via Mumbai, in previous years stayed at the Taj Mahal Palace. Just want you all to know we are thinking of you all in Mumbai at this sad time. We will return.
Our thoughts are with you all.

[machadinha]

<cross-posting, and this isn't directed at you, TripSammy, your thoughts will be appreciated by all>

Ahem, a reminder to myself (yes, I've transgressed on this thread several times) as much as to anyone else:

It has been called for repeatedly on this thread to keep it to factual news updates. So maybe we should respect that and try to.

Mumbai is asleep now, it's 04:00 there. It will soon wake up again, and members will want to find it back for just that: News updates.

Other members and guests will want to use it for that as well. This thread has been avidly visited by both over the past few days, and probably for just that. This itself is post #1358 here and I'm sure there will be many more to come, it will be difficult enough for people to wade through as it is.

It is inevitable to go over into background theories, but as called for before, any of us can start such a thread elsewhere (preferably in Masala/Off-Topic I guess, not open to very new members, but so it goes). So let's not do it here.

Peace and all that, folks.

[LilBoy BigTown]

This is still on.

1st floor Taj Hotel still seems to be the problem area.

As I type this, the reporter on Times Now says that commandos are ambling around the hotel entrance.

Does this mean its over?

Lets see.

[LilBoy BigTown]

The reporter says that the terrorists are constantly moving around. It seems they are very well familiar with the hotel lay out and that's proving to be the NSG's achilles heel who are groping in dark.

[LilBoy BigTown]

People are wondering why it's taking the security forces so long to get over the line.

Times Now reports that the terrorists which number between 2-3 are carrying massive amounts of explosives. They are unsure if hostages are still held in Taj and so the commandos have been instructed apparently not to use excessive force.

They have been ordered to come out of this with as little collateral damage as possible.

More gunshots heard from 1st floor of the Taj Hotel.

[LilBoy BigTown]

Nothing doing at Taj. It's a stalemate as of now.

[machadinha]

Just a thanks for taking over on the reporting, LilBoy

Yes, I've heard "it's over" a little too often now. Kind of shut off the news for a bit (also getting a little nervous with talking heads taking over now that the action has more-or-less subsided & all having their say the one more adamant than the other), following along here though.

[Swapnil]

Let's hope all this will get over soon.......probably by early morning daylight...

[Swapnil]

IBN reporting since 3:30 AM intense gunfire & explosions still going on....