Followers

07 December 2008

Mumbai After The Smoke Has Cleared 1













































On Monday most of Mumbai, India attempted a return to normal activity, in the wake of the 60-hour-long siege last week. Some facts about the attacks are a bit clearer now, others still hazy. Based in part on the confessions of the only terrorist captured alive - Azam Amir Kasav (also identified elsewhere as 'Ajmal Qasab'), Indian officials now say that there were only 10 gunmen involved, all members of Lashkar-e-Taiba, a Pakistani militant group with links to the disputed Himalayan region of Kashmir - though Pakistan officially denies any involvement. According to recent reports, the ten attackers were responsible for the deaths of 172 people, including 19 foreigners, and 239 wounded. While mourners of the victims attended to their loved ones, and people all over the world held vigils, a Muslim graveyard in Mumbai refused to bury the nine dead gunmen - an official saying that they were not true followers of the Islamic faith.

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A woman cries, during a candlelight march for the victims of the Mumbai terrorist attack in which more than 195 people were killed, in Mumbai, India, Saturday, Nov. 29, 2008.

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People eat at Cafe Leopold, one of the several places where terrorists shot at people, after it reopened in Mumbai, India, Monday, Dec. 1, 2008.

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Workers sweep the ground in front of the Taj hotel in Mumbai November 29, 2008.


Mumbai After The Smoke Has Cleared 2



























































On Monday most of Mumbai, India attempted a return to normal activity, in the wake of the 60-hour-long siege last week. Some facts about the attacks are a bit clearer now, others still hazy. Based in part on the confessions of the only terrorist captured alive - Azam Amir Kasav (also identified elsewhere as 'Ajmal Qasab'), Indian officials now say that there were only 10 gunmen involved, all members of Lashkar-e-Taiba, a Pakistani militant group with links to the disputed Himalayan region of Kashmir - though Pakistan officially denies any involvement. According to recent reports, the ten attackers were responsible for the deaths of 172 people, including 19 foreigners, and 239 wounded. While mourners of the victims attended to their loved ones, and people all over the world held vigils, a Muslim graveyard in Mumbai refused to bury the nine dead gunmen - an official saying that they were not true followers of the Islamic faith.


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An Indian commando signs autographs for a crowd of grateful people in Mumbai November 29, 2008.

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Family members of Maibam Bimolchandra Singh react as his body is brought to his hometown Imphal November 29, 2008. Singh, an employee in the Trident-Oberoi hotel in Mumbai, died in the Mumbai attacks.

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Relatives and neighbors mourn as they attend the funeral of Haresh Gohil, 25, who was killed by gunmen near Chabad-Lubavitch center,also known as Nariman House in Mumbai, India, Saturday, Nov. 29, 2008.

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A boy attends a candle lighting ceremony in Mumbai, India on Sunday, Nov. 30, 2008.

Mumbai After The Smoke Has Cleared 3










































































On Monday most of Mumbai, India attempted a return to normal activity, in the wake of the 60-hour-long siege last week. Some facts about the attacks are a bit clearer now, others still hazy. Based in part on the confessions of the only terrorist captured alive - Azam Amir Kasav (also identified elsewhere as 'Ajmal Qasab'), Indian officials now say that there were only 10 gunmen involved, all members of Lashkar-e-Taiba, a Pakistani militant group with links to the disputed Himalayan region of Kashmir - though Pakistan officially denies any involvement. According to recent reports, the ten attackers were responsible for the deaths of 172 people, including 19 foreigners, and 239 wounded. While mourners of the victims attended to their loved ones, and people all over the world held vigils, a Muslim graveyard in Mumbai refused to bury the nine dead gunmen - an official saying that they were not true followers of the Islamic faith.

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Muslims pay homage to the victims of the Mumbai attacks during a special prayer meeting at a mosque in the northeastern Indian city of Siliguri November 29, 2008.

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Moshe Holtzberg, the 2-year-old orphan of the rabbi and his wife slain in the Mumbai Jewish center, cries during a memorial service at a synagogue in Mumbai, India, Monday, Dec. 1, 2008. Holtzberg will fly to Israel Monday on an Israeli Air Force jet with his parents' remains and the Indian woman who rescued him, an Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman said.

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Raflles Eeaus Codes, a tourist from Spain who was wounded at the Taj Mahal Palace & Tower Hotel, lays in a bed at the Mumbai hospital on November 30, 2008 in Mumbai, India.

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Waiters organize for reopening the site of the first target of terrorist attacks this week, the Leopold Cafe on November 30, 2008 in Mumbai, India.

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People make offerings and take the aura from the light of the Artee, at the end of an inter-faith service at the Hindu Sabha Temple in support of Mumbai attack victims, in Brampton, Canada. on Sunday Nov. 30, 2008.

Mumbai After The Smoke Has Cleared 4







































































On Monday most of Mumbai, India attempted a return to normal activity, in the wake of the 60-hour-long siege last week. Some facts about the attacks are a bit clearer now, others still hazy. Based in part on the confessions of the only terrorist captured alive - Azam Amir Kasav (also identified elsewhere as 'Ajmal Qasab'), Indian officials now say that there were only 10 gunmen involved, all members of Lashkar-e-Taiba, a Pakistani militant group with links to the disputed Himalayan region of Kashmir - though Pakistan officially denies any involvement. According to recent reports, the ten attackers were responsible for the deaths of 172 people, including 19 foreigners, and 239 wounded. While mourners of the victims attended to their loved ones, and people all over the world held vigils, a Muslim graveyard in Mumbai refused to bury the nine dead gunmen - an official saying that they were not true followers of the Islamic faith.


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People standing on the roadside shower flower petals as the body of Hemant Karkare, the chief of Mumbai's Anti-Terrorist Squad is taken for cremation in Mumbai, India, Saturday, Nov. 29, 2008.


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Mumbai Residents walk with candles in the street near The Oberoi Hotel during a demonstration against the recent terror attacks in the city on November 30, 2008 in Mumbai, India.


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Policemen and their families attend a meeting to pay tributes to Mumbai's policemen, in photographs in background, who lost their lives in terrorist attacks in Mumbai, India, Sunday, Nov. 30, 2008.


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An Indian Catholic woman prays following a Sunday Mass, at the Cathedral of the Holy Name, in Mumbai, India, Sunday Nov. 30, 2008.


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Muslims release pigeons symbolising peace during a rally in the western Indian city of Ahmedabad against the Mumbai attacks November 29, 2008.

Mumbai After The Smoke Has Cleared 5











































































On Monday most of Mumbai, India attempted a return to normal activity, in the wake of the 60-hour-long siege last week. Some facts about the attacks are a bit clearer now, others still hazy. Based in part on the confessions of the only terrorist captured alive - Azam Amir Kasav (also identified elsewhere as 'Ajmal Qasab'), Indian officials now say that there were only 10 gunmen involved, all members of Lashkar-e-Taiba, a Pakistani militant group with links to the disputed Himalayan region of Kashmir - though Pakistan officially denies any involvement. According to recent reports, the ten attackers were responsible for the deaths of 172 people, including 19 foreigners, and 239 wounded. While mourners of the victims attended to their loved ones, and people all over the world held vigils, a Muslim graveyard in Mumbai refused to bury the nine dead gunmen - an official saying that they were not true followers of the Islamic faith.



PHOTO - 1
A member of a Hindu congregation holds his hands in prayer to mourn those killed in the Mumbai, India terrorist attacks, while at the Hindu Temple and Cultural Center of the Rockies November 29, 2008 in Littleton, Colorado. The congregation listened to a prayer and then paused for two minutes of silence in solidarity with those killed in the attacks.


PHOTO - 2
A policeman, shot at five times, holds up his metal belt buckle which saved his life on November 29, 2008 in Mumbai, India.



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Indian commandos stand on a balcony of the Taj Mahal Palace & Tower Hotel after they gained control of it, on November 29, 2008 in Mumbai, India.


PHOTO - 5
Photographers and members of the media cover a gunfire at the Taj Hotel in Mumbai November 28, 2008. At the front of the Taj, bleary-eyed journalists who had earlier mobbed National Security Guards chief J.K. Dutt when he announced the end of the siege were pushed back roughly behind a rope that had marked an unofficial boundary for them. Hundreds of media workers dived for cover as stray bullets whistled above them during the final stages of a firefight.


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An Indian soldier stands guard outside the Taj Mahal Palace & Tower Hotel following an armed siege on November 29, 2008 in Mumbai, India.



04 December 2008

A week since Mumbai attacks



It has been a week since the terror attacks in Mumbai. Here is a look at what has happened since then - the tragedy, the investigations and the fallout. In the Mumbai terror attacks, seen as the worst in India, almost 200 people were killed and about 318 were injured.

We Salute


02 December 2008

Salute To Indian Security Forces In Mumbai

This video is dedicated to all the Indian Security Forces who were involved in saving lives of the people from all over the World in Mumbai.

01 December 2008

Maj. Sandeep Unnikrishnan - A School remembers

Maj Sandeep UnniKrishnan - A school remembers
29 Nov 2008, 0028 hrs IST



Bangalore : Maj. Sandeep Unnikrishnan, who laid down his life fighting terrorists at the Nariman House, spent 14 years of his life at the Frank Anthony Public School
. A popular figure among his contemporaries, Major Unnikrishnan had only one mission in his life -- to join the Army. According to principal C Browne, who also taught the Armyman math and physics in Class 10, Maj. Unnikrishnan was an outstanding student. "He finished ISC Science from here, way back in 1995. Besides this, he was also a fantastic athlete. Most of his athletic records remained unbroken for many years," reminisces Browne. The principal, who has taught at FAPS for the past 30 years, said he remembered Major Sandeep as a tall, slim boy with the most genial personality. "He was the house captain and loved by all. Ever since he was a boy, he wanted to join the Army. He even wore his hair like the commandos," added Browne. Besides displaying traits of courage and valour, Maj. Unnikrishnan also had a soft side to him. According to Browne, he also sang in the school choir for many years. "I remember him as a happy-go-lucky kid. As a school, we plan to honour him by holding a memorial assembly service along with a few of his classmates," .

Hero's farewell for Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan


Hero's farewell for Sandeep
DH News Service, Bangalore:


"Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan amar rahe, Sandeep Unnikrishnan zindabad."
These emphatically uttered words rent the air, as the mortal remains of Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan of the National Security Guards (NSG) arrived at the officer's residence at Yelahanka here on Saturday morning.

Military honours
Before the body was cremated with full military honours at the Hebbal electric crematorium, thousands paid their last respects to the departed officer who valiantly laid down his life fighting terrorists inside the Taj Palace Hotel in Mumbai on Friday. Among those who turned up were hundreds of uniformed school children, top military and police officers, besides Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa with some of his cabinet colleagues.Earlier, around 9 am, the body was taken to the residence from Air Command Hospital and was kept for public viewing for two hours.
Serpentine queues had started to form outside Unnikrishnan’s house since morning.Thousands of local residents, students, young and elderly men and women in hundreds waited for hours to file past the body draped in white.Most mourners bowed in respect, while many gave a military salute.
Mother inconsolable
Sandeep’s mother Dhan-alakshmi was inconsolable. She was reluctant to let go of the body.On her insistence, she was allowed to sit next to the body for a few minutes just before it was taken on the last journey.She kept on conversing with the body touching Sandeep’s head and face every now and then.She swooned as the Karnataka police band sounded the bugle after a police gun salute, marking the beginning of the march from their residence to the crematorium.Those who paid tributes included MP Ananth Kumar, Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Suresh Kumar, MLA Vishwanath, MLA Krishna Byre Gowda, KPCC working president D K Shivakumar, KPCC president R V Deshpande, senior Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge, Director-General of Police Sri Kumar, Commissioner of Police Shankar Bidari and Joint Commissioner (Crime) Gopal B Hosur. In his condolence message, Yeddyurappa said: “I deeply mourn the death of Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan. He saved the life of many, including that of a Member of Parliament. He was a highly respected officer and laid down his life serving the country.” The government will think of giving suitable compensation to his family, Yeddyurappa told reporters.People lined up along the nearly five kilometre route to the crematorium from Unnikrishnan’s residence. The body was taken in an open arm truck which was followed by thousands of mourners. The military personnel extended him a guard of honour firing three rounds of shots in the air. Top army officials placed wreaths on the body of Sandeep. The Major’s father, Unnikrishnan, was given the military uniform of the slain officer. Unnikrishnan broke down as the armymen sounded the last post and the body was moved into the furnace after religious rituals. Unnikrishnan and a few military personnel were allowed inside the electric crematorium at Hebbal. “It was exactly 12:15 pm when the body was consigned to the flames,” Nataraj Dixit, a priest, who came to conduct the final rites told Deccan Herald.

Schoolchildren hold candles during a vigil held in memory of the victims of Wednesday's shootings in Mumbai,

















Schoolchildren hold candles during a vigil held in memory of the victims of Wednesday's shootings in Mumbai, in the western Indian city of Ahmedabad November 27, 2008. Elite Indian commandos fought room to room battles with Islamist militants inside two luxury hotels to save scores of people trapped or taken hostage, as the country's prime minister blamed neighbouring countries. (REUTERS/Amit Dave)

Mumbai terror attacks: Faces of tragedy

Mumbai terror attacks: Faces of tragedy
Sarah Jacob, Anasuya Roy
Sunday, November 30, 2008 12:23 PM (New York, Bangalore, Mumbai)
For the families of nearly 200 people who lost their lives in the Mumbai terror attacks, the loss is just unimaginable to their friends and family. One of the martyrs in Mumbai's terror attacks was Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan, the only son of his parents. The entire city of Bangalore turned up to mourn at his funeral, as his body wrapped in the tricolour was taken to his house.His seniors spoke of his heroism."In this hotel, the Taj heritage, our Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan died while saving our havaldar who was injured. The terrorist opened fire and Unnikrishnan was separated from the rest of the NSG commandoes team. He died while fulfilling his duty," said J K Dutt, Director General, NSG.Major Unnikrishnan's father was stoic while recounting the last time he spoke to his son."On the night of November 26 he called me and he told me to watch the television, where I saw all these things," said K Unnikrishnan, Sandeep's father. A braveheart and a gutsy commando, Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan upheld the finest traditions of the Indian Army where country came first, countrymen next and his own life on last priority. Corresponding to the death of a brave soldier is again, the case of Moshe. He is a little boy who turns two, without his mother or father, who were killed in the terror attacks. Newly married, Moshe's parents, the Holtzbergs, moved from Brooklyn in 2003 to manage the Mumbai chapter of the Chabad, an open house for Jews, on their mission to spread Judaism to Jews around the globe.Across the world in New York, members of the Chabad-Lubavitch ultra-orthodox Jewish community are in mourning over the death of Moshe's parents.In the Holtzbergs' home in the United States, prayer services were held in their memory, and for their young son Moshe, who was rescued by the nanny and has been united with his grandparents ."Today, he became an orphan without a dad and mom to lovingly embrace him and celebrate with him," said Rabbi Yehuda Krinsky, chairmanChabad's Education and Social Services arm.For the past few days, members of the Chabad headquarters in New York had been glued to the television and the internet trying to separate fact from rumor. Now, they are united in grief, and a promise top provide a loving and caring environment for young Moshe, who lost his parents just days before his second birthday.After Major Unnikrishnan and Moshe, is Times of India journalist Sabina Sehgal Saikia, who died in the Mumbai attacks. Saikia was married to former journalist Shantanu Saika. She began her career as a political correspondent with the Times of India and went on to become the first editor of the successful Delhi Times for several years, before becoming the paper's popular restaurant reviewer and compiler of its bestselling food guide. A connoisseur and student of Hindustani classical music, Saikia was a friend to many musicians." She will be remembered for the great contribution she brought to a whole generation of young journalists with her twin committments to Indian classical music and to non-communal politics in this country. She was a larger-than-life person. She was a big person physically, and even her person exuded this extreme passion for life, for friends, for food, for music, for dance and for art. She lived many lives and she had different personas. But she transcended them with great agility and with great quick wittedness, with great felicity of information and imagination. She was an immensely talented woman. I used to tell her on her face that she was a combination of Annapurni and Durga together in a modern avatar," said S Kalidas, arts writer. Thus three diverse lives had common binding threads - tragedy and loss.

Hostages were killed before NSG operation

Hostages were killed before NSG operation
Press Trust of India
Sunday, November 30, 2008 5:49 PM (New Delhi)
The terrorists who kept several guests as hostages in Taj Mahal and Trident-Oberoi hotel did not make "any demand" and they carried out all the killings before the NSG could start its operations, the chief of the elite commando unit said on Sunday."We did not receive any demand from any of the terrorists," Director General of the NSG, J K Dutt, said in New Delhi on Sunday and suggested that the intention of the rampaging terrorists was not to keep anyone alive.All the "senseless killings" in the Taj and Oberoi-Trident hotels had been carried out before commando units stormed the buildings, he said, a day after NSG commandos ended the siege at the Taj hotel.Dutt said the holdout militants had a comprehensive knowledge of the Taj's terrain, as they were able to move from one place to another "without a misstep."Whenever the special forces units launched an offensive, the gunmen would set fire to a hotel room to create a diversion, before moving on to a new hiding place."For these reasons it was very difficult to dislodge them," he said.Dutt also refuted charges that the terrorists had planned to blow up the 105-year-old Taj heritage hotel ina repeat of theMarriott hotel attack in Islamabad which claimed around 60 lives and left more than 250 people injured."Terrorists did not appear to have plans to blow up the Taj heritage hotel as they lacked enough explosives," Dutt said in New Delhi on his return after the NSG mission operations in the financial capital of the country.The elite force lost its two commandos - Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan and Havildar Gajendra Singh - while eight others were injured during its counter-offensive against terrorists in two of the three locations that witnessed the worst-ever terrorist siege in the country.

Heroes of the Nation


Residents of Mumbai thanked commandos who flushed out terrorists from the Taj Hotel after hours of gun battle.