Things That Bang

Thanksgiving will have a bloody tinge in India and perhaps the world.

In perhaps the most shocking attacks in Indian history, a series of bomb blasts and terrorists have laid siege to Mumbai at night. The operation is still going on, with terrorists holed up in the Oberoi Hotel, who appear to be trying to apprehend some American and British tourists.

The ATS Chief Hemant Karkare has been killed and Mumbai's top encounter cop Vijay Saleskar has been shot dead.

At least 80 people are reported dead, and major Mumbai landmarks have been targeted.

Earlier there were at least 8 simultaneous incidents of blasts and firing, including AK-47 bearing terrorists who attacked the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminal of the Railway Statiion, a taxi blast in Vile Parle, and at the Taj Mahal and Trident Hotels. Trains on the central line have been stopped. Other sites of the attacks include Mazgaon, Leopold's Pub, Metro Junction, Crawford Market and at Colaba. A BP petrol bunk has experienced an explosion in Colaba.

There is reportedly now firing at the Marriott Hotel. There are currently at least two terrorists holed up in the Oberoi hotel. The terrorists are reportedly in their 20s and may have about 15 people in their custody. Another encounter is underway at the Taj hotel. Terrorists are reported to be hijacking cars and driving around the city, shooting at random. A boat has been found at the Gateway of India, reportedly laden with explosives.

A live bomb appears to have been defused outside the Taj Hotel, while another blast was reported in the hotel inside the dome, which is on fire and may be collapsing.

There are also reports that terrorists have escaped from the Taj Hotel in a police vehicle towards the government offices, Mantralaya, and in a black Skoda from another location. Two terrorists have been shot after this incident near Girgaum-Chowpatty, driving a black Skoda.

The ATS is in presence, and paramilitary forces. Naval Commandos have begun operations. Government sources confirm that the Army will be brought onto the streets, perhaps as a flag march.

This post will be updated as this night of darkness proceeds.

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Suketu Mehta, Mumbai expert and author (calling from NYC), along with some SAJAers and SAJA friends in Mumbai joining the call with updates.

You can listen live at
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/saja/2008/11/26/Terrorist-attacks-in-Mumbai
or via phone: +1-347-324-5991
3-4 pm NY time
That's 1:30-2:30 am in Mumbai

SAJA is hosting a live discussion with journalists and experts in Mumbai and the U.S. about the terrorist attacks on hotels and elsewhere in Mumbai at http://www.sajaforum.org/2008/11/breaking-news-terrorists-attack-mumbai-hotels.html

By Aaman Lamba