FRIDAY,  NOVEMBER 28,  2008

BULLETIN FROM RENEE NIELSEN IN MUMBAI - 11:43 P.M. ET:

Times Now has breaking news that one of their reporters has information about the captured terrorist saying that the plan was to blow up the Taj and hurt India economically.  

The anchor followed that up with "How could they achieve this? Did they have explosives on them?" to which the reporter said that the taxi that blew up in Vile Parle was carrying RDX (did it blow up early by accident?) and the authorities found more RDX elsewhere.

NSG still clearing rooms.  No comments on casualties found inside.  Bomb squad has gone into the Oberoi.  

FROM RENEE NIELSEN IN MUMBAI - 11:26 P.M. ET, SATURDAY MORNING IN MUMBAI:

Latest:  Three terrorists killed, NSG still clearing Taj and firefighters putting out fire in the area where the very popular Wasabi restaurant was.  The police are very relaxed and have allowed the crowds to get closer, so would think that indicates they're confident all is over.

However, still not official official on all channels.  Yahoo says it's over, Times Now says over, Headline News says "Operation Cyclone still on."

We're still watching it.  It appears to be over, but we wouldn't be shocked if there was an eruption of fighting at the Taj, which has been the pattern so far.

IS IT OVER? - 10:33 P.M. ET:  There is still one more report that the anti-terror operation at the Taj hotel in Mumbai is over.  We caution that there have been a number of reports like this.  The latest bulletin comes from the AP.  We will continue to monitor the situation.

MUMBAI - 9:30 P.M. ET:  It's morning in Mumbai, and the action at the Taj hotel is still going on.  There have been more false reports that things are being wrapped up.  There is no evidence of this.  We are now told that five Americans are dead.

Authorities are still not sure who pulled off these attacks.  But there is general agreement that this is one of the most sophisticated terrorist operations ever mounted.  We know that the attackers came from the sea, apparently hijacking a vessel. 

MORE FROM RENEE NEILSEN IN MUMBAI - 2:12 P.M. ET: 

NN Int'l also reporting that the rabbi and his wife were killed at Nariman house.  Totals dead there include: Five hostages, five terrorists and three NSG (National Security Guard), who were one officer two Jawas (whatever that is).

Israelis saying that none of their citizens were killed at the hotels.

The foreign dead now include two Brits and two French.  

MUMBAI UPDATE AT 10:10 A.M. ET:    Be careful of premature reports of Indian military operations ending in Mumbai.  There have been a number of these false reports.  There still apparently are operations going on at the Taj hotel and the Jewish center.

Two Americans from Virginia, a father and daughter, have been identified as among the dead. 

BULLETIN FROM RENEE NIELSEN AT 8:45 A.M. ET:

Breaking news: 5 hostages 2 terrorists killed at Nariman house.

Nariman House is the Jewish center.  There are reports on American TV that all the Israeli hostages there have been killed, but these are unconfirmed.

If there are Israeli deaths, Israel will feel compelled, under its longstanding policy, to take some action.

MORE FROM RENEE - 8:41 A.M. ET: 

New fire breaks out in the Taj.  Media reporting bodies being taken out of the back area.  

Nairman house has 1 floor left to be cleared.  Huge crowds gathering to cheer on police.  No word yet on the rabbi and his wife still trapped inside.

 

MUMBAI - FRIDAY

Posted at 7:34 a.m. ET

The terror in Mumai continues.  CNN is reporting the latest death toll at 146, and that number will grow.  There are new explosions at the Taj, part of which is apparently still occupied by a few terrorists.  There has been an assault on the Jewish center, but the results are not known.  There are reports, thus far unconfirmed, that a number of bodies have been found in several hotels.  We stress, unconfirmed.

Now both CNN and Fox are reporting an escalation in military activity.  The situation is very fluid.

We have been blessed here by the reports of Renee Nielsen, who has provided remarkable perspective.  Here is Renee's latest, filed just a few minutes ago:

Reports are coming in that the Oberoi operation is over. 24 bodies pulled out of there so far.  Nairman house has 2-3 terrorists and the Taj has supposedly 1 still loose inside.

Dead foreigners so far killed to include 2 Americans, 1 Japanese, 1 Finn, 2 Germans, 1 Canadian and 1 from Norway.  Who knows how many more.  Reports of 30 bodies in one hallway in the Taj.  

Misreporting of gunfire erupting around city turned out to be false.  It caused panic and havoc and the police used jammers to block cell phones at one point enraging media mostly based in Delhi from receiving info from Mumbai.  

It's chaos.  Everyone representing different agencies are saying different things.  

One odd thing to think about...if the terrorists were really intending to target Americans and even Brits, why not wait 24 hours and then you'd have all the hotels hosting American Thanksgiving dinners? These dinners were widely advertised and the Taj Bandstand here was expecting a large group.  There are odd theories floating around that this is actually mob related, as one crime duo of brothers fled to Pakistan since they were being hunted here.  No Korans or anything else have been reported found on the bodies, but they are saying credit cards, and US currency.  

All the information above could change.  It's incredible how the local media contradicts themselves with their "breaking news" headlines, then the scroll says something different.

A bit later Renee added:

Let me clarify: the mob brothers fled a long while ago but still may be running drug operations from there.  It's just a rumor at this point, but considering all the other information out there, seems as plausible as any other theory.  The media hasn't reported this, it's coming from the streets.

It's now dusk in Mumbai.  There's an eleven hour difference between New York and that city.  We'll continue to post bulletins, and Renee's reports.

November 28, 2008.      Permalink          

THURSDAY,  NOVEMBER 27,  2008

A BIT PAST MIDNIGHT ET, BUT STILL THURSDAY IN MOST OF THE U.S.  A FURTHER UPDATE FROM RENEE NIELSEN IN MUMBAI.  FROM WHAT I CAN OBSERVE, THIS IS THE MOST COVERED TERRORIST ATTACK SINCE THE ATTACKS OF 9-11 IN THE U.S., LARGELY BECAUSE THE TERROR IS ONGOING. 

RENEE'S DISPATCH:

Not much new to report on this.  The newest (and what appears to be most sophisticated) set of commandos has entered the Taj and the Trident-Oberoi hotels and the Nariman house. We've been on "final assault" for over 24 hours now and while we're trying not to judge the abilities of the authorities/army on their handling of this crisis, it's hard not to.  Put it this way, between early lack of crowd control, stolen police cars, and three very senior/top cops being killed in gunbattles within the first couple hours of this tragedy, you have to wonder what the thought process was behind some of the first critical and crucial decisions.  

Schools are still closed across the city, but my husband has returned to work.  The entire situation is contained in the most southern parts of the city.

The BJP and Congress parties are now trying to show some sort of solidarity during this difficult time, but the talking heads on television are still doing what they do--criticizing everything done so far.

It's just a waiting game now.  The commandos are doing "top down" sweeps which the media is explaining it as simultaneous sweeps of these buildings, starting at the top and bottom to meet in the middle somewhere.  Who knows.

Will come back with more information as it comes along. BBC World and CNN Int'l have broken off continuous coverage because it's a holding pattern right now, but they are giving the least hysterical analysis.  One can really see the different levels of professionalism.  One sad note:  BBC World reported on the death of one gentleman who had called into them to give a first hand account of his experiences has been killed.  The Daily Mail has the information here.

Later update from Renee: 

Hostages released from the Trident.  It's a mix of white westerners and Indian (but could be Brit nationals) to include what looks to be a 6-8month old baby.

They look shocked and traumatized, but no one is crying.  Of course, cameras are all over them.

The authorities saying 1 terrorist in the Heritage Taj (the old part) and they found the body of another.

 

ANOTHER NOTE FROM RENEE NIELSEN, MUMBAI - 11:36 A.M. ET: 

One more thing:  There are national elections here in January.  The BJP party is expected to win over the current Congress party/PM Manmohan Singh.  If that happens, the new PM would probably be LK Advani.  Advani has been on television talking about lack of security for the country etc,.  

Now, other commentators are on blaming gov't for all this happening and outraged that India isn't prepared for crisis situations like this with police/army and even infrastructurally.  

It's gone political now.

MORE FROM RENEE - 11:32 A.M. ET:  Here is more, from Renee Nielsen Mumbai:

Latest:

The family of the GM for the Taj is among the 101 killed: wife and 3 kids.   How tragic.

The terrorists threw a grenade from the Taj trying to hit the fire engine which was trying to put out the fire still raging there.  This is a major landmark of the city.  It's a humongous hotel, but it's the only tourist place here we made a point of seeing so far: Gateway of India/Taj Hotel.
 
There is a huge fire at the Trident Oberoi.  They've gotten 60 people out.  They are saying "60 hostages released", but I don't think that may be the case--60 people who were trapped and waiting perhaps.  Everyone is too calm coming out to be hostages.  

Just for a idea of where we are, Bandra is probably 15km from where the action is in the south, but in normal traffic, put that at 1-1.5hrs drive time.  All the activity that was reported in Vile Parle, Juhu, Santa Cruz from last night has not gotten a single mention today for whatever reason.  We find that odd, but guess it means they got the terrorists up there.

Renee

FROM MUMBAI - DIRECT

Posted at 9:11 a.m. ET

We now have, just in from Mumbai, a letter from Renee Nielsen, a terrific woman who is president of Republicans Abroad in India.  Urgent Agenda thanks reader Hunter Schultz, in Panama, who made possible this link with Renee.  She writes:

Well, things are still tense here as the hostage situation has not been resolved. There are many news agencies here reporting in both English and Hindi on top of CNN Int'l and BBC World so lots of confusion on truth.

What we do know is that as of now, 6 foreigners reported killed with 5 identified.  Earlier it was said 2 of the dead were US Intel officers.  The British High Commissioner has arrived from Delhi and said that 7 Brit nationals were in hospital from wounds, but no idea how many were/are involved whether killed or hostage or hiding/trapped in the hotels.

The terrorists came in directly from Pakistan and entered Mumbai via small boat down by the Gateway of India (across from the Taj).  The Indian navy and air forces are now searching for the mother ship which they did have named earlier.

The army has taken over from the police with the navy commandos in the lead at the hotels.  The news (Times Now) reporting they are preparing for last assault, but you can see lights coming on in Trident Oberoi hotel that were on before and curtains being opened. I would think this is a sign of a cleared room, but who knows.  Also, lots of reports of explosions but could be used to open doors as not necessarily being followed up by shots.  The terrorists supposedly have grenades on them. They have captured one terrorist there named Abu Ismail from Kandirot, Pakistan.

Another fire has started at the Taj hotel on the opposite side from last night and on the 4th floor.  The Taj group has vowed already to rebuild good as new, but this is a 100 year old landmark hotel.  

The English cricket team has canceled some test match.  Why is that important?  Because cricket is HUGE here (national sport) and is a major force in the economy.  Aussie and Brit cricketers already don't want to go to Pakistan and the Indian cricket league officials fear the same will happen to India.  Big loss of revenue.

The Taj has conflicting reports of hostages still trapped - or - regular guests.

It is now been confirmed that US and British citizens were targeted. Too many witnesses have confirmed that.

101 dead and 300 injured. The dead include the top including 3 very senior/top people--one being the head of the ATS (Anti-terror squad).

Things are changing minute by minute, but since the army/cops have been clearing hotel rooms all day, would expect this to get resolved by tonight sometime.  The sun has now set and it's getting dark.

It is 6:10pm.  We are 11.5hrs ahead of CTD.

We've been home all day.  There were reports the terrorists had stolen police vehicles (we could see that on the tv) and were shooting out the windows indiscriminately.  Nothing like that has been reported for at least 10 hours.  The Taj Lands End in Bandra (where we live) is just 1.5miles from here.  I would bet it's like a fortress now.  It's not just tourists that use the hotels here.  Expats frequent them on an everyday basis because the restaurants are great (and clean/safe to eat in).  You will also expect to see lots of businessmen/women and very wealthy tourists.  These are 5 star hotels.  The terrorists apparently opened fire in the lobbies.  My son has a classmate (5 yrs old) who is hosting her birthday party at the Taj Land's End on Saturday and my husband has a haircut appointment there.  What may seem odd to Americans to use these hotels for regular stomping grounds is normal for the huge expat community here.

Let me know if you want me to write more.  The Indian media is hysterical at times, kinda like how Geraldo and Shep Smith acted during Hurricane Katrina, so it's hard to filter some of the sensationalism out.  In fact, one channel (Headline News) is saying that the killed police have been "martyred."  That's a strong word.  India and Pakistan right now are sharing the best relations they've had in 40 years.  This is not a govt vs govt action, but of course there will be consequences.  I'll do my best to get the truth versus rumor.

Apologies for grammar errors.  Happy Thanksgiving.  We'll never forget this one.

Sincerely,

Renee Nielsen
Chairman
Republicans Abroad India

We have asked Renee to supply more information as it becomes available.  As you can see from her letter, private sources often provide little tidbits that we don't get from regular news reporting.

Stand by.      

November 27, 2008.        Permalink          

INDIA - 8:40 A.M. ET:  We are trying to get some information from an independent source in Mumbai, India.  Until we do there is little we can add to the news reporting you've seen, much of it very well done.  The terror attack in Mumbai is another reminder that there's a real world out there, and that the return to what some are calling "the December 10th mentality" - the American thinking that existed before we were attacked - is dangerous and unacceptable.  We hope the new president is noticing. 

STILL IN THE TANK - 8:17 A.M. ET:  The headline over the AP story in The New York Times reads:  Obama Reassures Nervous Nation on Ailing Economy.  But the story begins:  President-elect Barack Obama sought to reassure the nation and nervous holiday shoppers about the ailing economy Wednesday as beleaguered stores braced for their most important month of the year.

COMMENT:  When I was in journalism, reassuring a nation and seeking to reassure a nation were two different things.  But when you're in the tank for Obama, and there's no real editing, the above contradiction is what happens. 

WE DON'T GIVE THANKS FOR THIS - 8:01 A.M. ET:  United Nations nuclear watchdog governors on Wednesday approved a disputed Syrian bid for atomic aid after being assured it would be kept under scrutiny while Damascus is being investigated for alleged covert nuclear activity.  Diplomats said the United States, Canada and Australia, part of a Western drive to block the project, made last-minute objections but finally joined a consensus in favour since they could not have won if they forced a rare vote in the 35-nation body.

COMMENT:  Another reward for bad behavior.  Are there any incentives at the UN for good behavior?

ADMISSION OF GUILT - 7:47 A.M. ET:  Several readers wrote to point out that I prematurely buried the stock-market rally early yesterday.  Guilty as charged.  I should have acknowledged the solid gain by the Dow, but became distracted as I monitored the situation in India.  I've often said that I wished I had an editor, but our readers are the best editors of all.

PUBLISHING TODAY?  SURE - 7:45 A.M. ET:  Urgent Agenda publishes every day.  We will do some blogging this morning, then take time out for a Thanksgiving celebration, and then, we trust, add some material after that.