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The terrorist attacks in Mumbai have taken place directly in the heart of the commercial area of the city, where all the prestigious business locations, office buildings and some of the most expensive hotels are based. The area, known as Colaba, stretches down the coast and Marine Drive, where attacks took place on the Leopolds Café restaurant, several petrol stations and the Oberoi Trident Hotel at Nariman Point, up to the Gateway of India, just across from the Taj, and further down Horniman Circle and Mahapalika Marg, where Mumbai’s main train station (Chattrapati Shivaji Terminus) is located just close to the University of Mumbai. India’s most respected barristers chambers, as well as banks and other commercial businesses are all based in this area.
The buildings close to the Taj Hotel, such as the Royal Bombay Yacht Club have been evacuated, and the harbor has been sealed. The Indian Navy also has warships there and navy personnel are also involved in security detail in the area and are patrolling the entire waterfront. All offices have remained closed and the area is under effective daylight curfew, there is still a major hostage standoff affecting the Taj and Oberoi Hotels.
The city has entered a huge lock down status with thousands of troops deployed. Commandos have encircled the outer perimeters of the hotels and hospitals and railway stations concerned. Terrorists tried to escape from the CST through the Bombay Infirmary, which is close by, although we also have unconfirmed reports of some Western victims being shot both inside and outside the hospital as they were being taken in for treatment.
The area is prime real estate and right on the coast. It could be secured to traffic but is so busy, effective monitoring of who goes in and out would be a huge logistical problem.
There are reports of several explosions at the Taj Hotel, much of the interior is wooden and it might be impossible to save it if damage proves extensive. The roof has been engulfed in flames and there are still sounds of gunshots and explosions being heard. The area behind the Taj is largely residential, with a smattering of antique shops, giving way just a block back to offices and other commercial premises and restaurants.
Certainly the attacks appear to have been coordinated to occur simultaneously, with the main event at 10pm last night Indian time, then escalating as gunmen entered the hotels and began both firing and rounding up American and British guests. Eye-witnesses state the gunmen looked “very young”.
The area has been secured by police but that sniper fire has been taking place from the roof of the Taj Hotel close by. Although the worst in terms of street violence appears to now be over, there must be grave concerns for the hostages taken who remain in the hotels.
The Taj was built and opened in 1903 by the founder of the Tata dynasty, Jamshetji Nusserwanji Tata, after he had been denied entrance to a British owned Hotel close by on account of his being “Indian” (although the Tata’s are actually Zoroastrians, originally from Persia). The Taj Hotel is the flagship of the Tata Groups hotel division, while the Groups other interests encompass everything from steel manufacturing, banking and finance, communications and the auto industry.
