I just turned on the news and saw the reports of the attack in Mumbai, India. For those who’ve been around awhile, our buddy Renwaa lives in Mumbai. I’ve been in email contact with her and she and her family are fine. Here’s what she’s written from her unique perspective;<\/p>\n
Well, we’ve been attacked. There’s 9 targeted places in the city so far targeting the Oberoi Hotel where 2 terrorist are inside with AK-47s and grenades (Indian special forces in there now–guests are holed up in some big ballroom there), the Taj Hotel, and the Trident Hotel (all in south Mumbai in the tourist area of Colaba), two hospitals have been attacked and a railway station. Plus, a bomb in Vile Parle (had lunch there yesterday) and a grenade attack in Santa Cruz which is nearby. Nothing on the Yahoo or anything yet to post. There’s reports of 4 dead and 25 injured (incl 15 shot).<\/p>\n
The Indian media is all over the place with information, but it’s going to be nuts here the next few days. May skip school for my oldest as we have to go thru Vile Parle to get there.<\/p>\n
If anyone reads my blog, this is the crazy Citibank guy’s neighborhood by the Bombay Yacht club that I wrote about. He texted me and is going to stay inside.<\/p>\n
Crazy, but it’s about time we got hit. There’s been at least 6 terrorist bombings in the country since we’ve been here.<\/p>\n
Here’s from the Stratfor alert:<\/p>\n
November 26, 2008
\nAt least a dozen Indian policeman reportedly were injured when gunmen opened fire in several parts of Mumbai on Nov. 26. Officials, speaking off the record because investigations were only in early stages, said at least two rounds were fired at police and paramilitary forces near the luxury Taj Mahal Hotel in south Mumbai, between 10:15 and 10:30 p.m., Thaindian News reported. Shots also were fired randomly near the Central Railway headquarters, where the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus is almost always crowded. Police had not confirmed whether the shootings were part of a terrorist attack or gang war, but said automatic rifles \u2013- possibly AKs \u2013- were used.<\/p><\/blockquote>\nI’m off to bed. It’s nearly 1am here so you guys will know more than me for the next 6hrs! Hope this gets settled quickly. The problem is, anything like this will start communal problems with the muslims if they take “credit” for the attacks.<\/p>\n
Geez, reports are 65 dead now. The NewsX crew (the ones I did all the tv spots for) have a guy north of us in Vile Parle where someone is still shooting. The Indian media has no problem showing blood and gore on tv. It’s all outside the railway station there.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Guess I’ll be awake for a while. CNN-IBN reporting that in the Oberoi and either Trident or Taj has the terrorist gathered western\/American hostages. They say it could be in the hundreds.<\/p>\n
Holy crap. This is getting bigger. Terrorists are driving around randomly shooting people on the streets.<\/p>\n
Now, the JW Mariott in Juhu is taking fire. My son definitely is staying home tomorrow.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Boat with explosives found near the Gateway of India which is right down by the Taj.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
CNN-IBN reported the terrorists in the Oberoi went to the desk and specifically asked for the rooms of Americans and then went to get them.<\/p>\n
There’s not a doubt now. Thank God Bush is still Pres.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Not Mariott, but the Ramada. It’s just off of Juhu beach. I drive past 2x a day. Makes sense since they reported grenade attack in Santa Cruz and if you just keep going north on Juhu Tara Road, you’ll pass the Ramada, then the JW Marriott.<\/p>\n
Now saying 15 hostages from the Oberoi on the roof with the terrorists.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
OK, CNN Int’l just spoke with a gov’t official saying NO hostages have been taken.<\/p>\n
However, it looks as if 3 pretty senior\/top cops are dead.<\/p>\n
It’s just chaos.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
The ATS (anti-terror squad) has entered the Taj hotel. Holy crap. The reporter says they can hear shots. Plus, still reports of hostages.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Nothing yet. The last bombings\/attacks have been claimed by islamist groups.<\/p>\n
The army has surrounded all the hotels. Expect more casualties….<\/p>\n
We have a Taj Land’s End here in Bandra where I am. No news from there. The Sea Rock hotel across the street from there was blown up by terrorists about 15 yrs ago. Bet the Taj is a fortress now, along with the 4 Seasons and Hilton, etc…<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
She may stop by and update – or I’ll just check her place for updates.<\/p>\n
Oh, and by way of Little Green Footballs<\/a>, ABCNews<\/a> reports;<\/p>\n
Uniformed police officers have flooded New York City’s Penn Station, home to the Long Island Rail Road, following a warning from the FBI of a “plausible but unsubstantiated” threat of a terrorist bomb attack against the system during the holidays.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
What was Joe Biden sayin’?<\/p>\n
UPDATE:<\/strong> More from Renwaa;<\/p>\n
Friend of friend knows the GM of oberoi. We’re IMing now:
\n<\/p>\nie: Me too
\nwe just got word from the Oberoi GM, thru a mutual friend
\nthat they asked for only American and British
\nand let the locals go
\nFire fight right now on the 7th and 8th floor
\nme: i heard that, but didn’t know if it was true
\nBernie: It is
\nHer husband and her r close to the Oberoi staff
\nshe is with us as her husband is stuck in town
\nLay low
\nBernie is typing\u2026
\nBernie is offline. Messages you send will be delivered when Bernie comes online.<\/div>\nHoly crap.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
The husband was at the Ruby Tuesdays next door when it went down and ran for his life! <\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Reports are some of the terrorists stole a police van. Real nice. <\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Alright, it’s 3:30am here and can’t bear to be awake anymore. I’ll be back in a few hours. My kids will be up in 3.5. *sigh* <\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Renwaa is continuing updates in the comments.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"