Retributions  

Update: The encounters continue. Just insane.

Update: 81 confirmed dead including 7 foreigners.

Update: Taj encounter is still going on.

Update: CNN-IBN is reporting that there is firing in Ramada hotel. Unconfirmed.

Update: CNN international had a security analyst who claimed that lives of hostages might be in danger because the Indian government would like to control the situation before people wake up. Are you crazy? Indian government might be crazy but its hard to believe that any person in Mumbai would have slept today.

Update: The encounter at Oberoi is still going on. Apparently, there is still hostages at CAMA hospital.

Update: The firing seems to be over at Taj. Encounter over?

Update: The American media seems to be concerned. CNN almost has live coverage. Foreigners are being targeted!

Update: Two terrorists dead in Taj. Two more to go. Total: Four terrorists dead till now.

Update: Fire seems to be largely out in Taj. But there is another encounter in Colaba. A eyewitness claimed on NDTV that four cops were dead. Not confirmed.

Update: Now they have the fire engines. Finally! People are struggling to get out of the Taj.

Update: Taj Coloba is on fire. Out of control? The heritage building is on fire. NSG is still on the way. WTF

Update: Deccan Mujahideen have claimed responsibility. Intensive firing on 7th and 8th floor of Taj.

Update: NDTV is reporting nine terrorists have been arrested while three have escaped. NDTV seems finally comfortable calling them terrorists.

Update: The latest death toll is 90. Apart from the numbers, the sheer scale of the attacks is mind-boggling. The police were clearly out-gunned. Why don’t we have a SWAT yet? Why do we have to rely on NSG for everything? Especially when NSG is based in Manesar–40 kms away from civilization.

Update: CNN is reporting a blast outside Taj. Amy has also stormed Oberio. NSG is apparently still flying in from Delhi. What kind of idiocy is that?

Update:  CNN-IBN is reporting that Army has stormed Taj

Update: Two blasts have been reported from the South Napean road which is apparently very close to the American consulate.  Hmmm

Update: IB confirms it was a terror attack. WTF! Did it need IB to confirm?

Update: This is really big. Mumbai police has confiscated two boats full of explosives. That reminds one of what happened in Mumbai in 1993.

Update; NSG is being flown from India. Why we don’t have NSG posted across the country rather than keeping them in Manesar where by the time they are flown in, nothing much remains to be done.

Update: If there was any more proof that India is at war, Army–yes Army–has been called. They have gone inside Trident.

Update: Hemant Karkare is dead.

Update: Vijay Salaskar, one of Mumbai’s top encounter specialists have been killed. Hemant Karkare, the ATC chief is injured. This is war! The ACP of North-east Mumbai has also been killed.

Update: Shivraj patil looks shaken on NDTV. He might start crying any moment. Will this man ever go? The latest reports on CNN-IBN suggest that 55 may be dead.

Update: CNN/IBN is reporting that there might be 100 foreigners holed up inside Taj. (via Offstumped)

Update: Two terrorists killed in Trident hotel. Good riddance!

Update: It’s insane! JW Marriott too. Apparently, after attacking these place, the terrorists have managed to escape too.

Update: A guest at TAJ interviewd in NDTV claimed that the attackers were specifically looking for foreigners with British and American passports. He claimed that 15 people were taken hostage.

Update:NDTV seems to have great difficulty calling the attackers terrorists: Sometimes its militants, other times, its s0-called terrorists.

Update: Just heard on NDTV the Mumbai police commissioner who said that terrorists are stilled holed up inside two five-star hotels including the iconic Taj Hotel and JJ hospital! He claimed that they are not holding any hostages.

If all the media drama over Malgaon bomb blasts had led to any doubts that India faces a real terror threat, the brazen and well-coordinated attacks on Mumbai should clear the air. While the story is still developing, CNN-IBN is reporting the following,

Colaba: Petrol pump blown up

10 killed in Colaba attack

Gun battle outside Metro cinema hall

Hotel Oberoi, Hotel Taj under siege

RAF considering commando action, may storm hotels

Local trains suspended

Gunfire and grenades, the latest modus operandi of terrorists

Roads in Mumbai completely deserted

Terrorists still holed up at Nariman House [link]

NDTV is reporting that at least 25 are confirmed killed.