Terrorized Mumbai hotel reopens

Mumbai is gradually returning to normal after the terrorist attacks last month. Parts of the Taj Mahal and Trident hotels have opened up for business again.

Some parts of these hotels though will take months to restore.

The Leopold Cafe, a favorite among foreigners, reopened weeks ago and is slowly recovering its old clientele.

USA Today

Return to Mumbai Aljazeera.net - 36 minutes ago By Todd Baer in Mumbai For nearly one month, Mumbai has been a city with a deep and painful wound, as people tried to recover from a series of brazen and particularly personal attacks on its most famous landmarks. Video: Mumbai hotel reopens -21 Dec 08 AlJazeeraEnglish Targeted Mumbai hotels open with tighter security The Associated Press

Mumbai terrorists more tech-savvy than police

The attackers who terrorized Mumbai were more sophisticated than the city's police forces according to security experts.

Attackers had studied satellite maps and were equipped with global positioning devices, and both voice-over-internet and satellite phones.

• Mumbai attackers more tech savvy than the police Sun Dec 14, 10:53 am ET

Indian police were unable to track either the satellite or internet communications of the attackers. Also, the Mumbai terrorists had night vision googles, which not only the police but even the National Security Guard commandos from Delhi lacked.


Video: Riz Khan - Mumbai's terror probe - Dec 10 - Part 1 AlJazeeraEnglish

TVNZ

Pakistan downplays ‘incursions’ by Indian aircraft Taipei Times - 31 minutes ago Pakistan downplayed alleged Indian violations of its airspace, suggesting yesterday that the breaches were “inadvertent” and “technical” in an apparent bid to avoid worsening tensions following the Mumbai attacks last month. Pakistan downplays airspace breach by Indian jet fighters (Roundup) Monsters and Critics.com Pakistan airspace violations 'inadvertant' United Press International

India investigates attacks as Taj cleared of threats

Indian security agencies began to unravel details of the Mumbai attacks on Saturday as commandos and police continued to sanitize the locations held by terrorists.

The death toll has risen to 183, not including 11 attackers, but could rise significantly as more bodies are discovered. According to reports, there was a stench in the Taj Mahal hotel apparently caused by decomposing bodies of those killed during the fighting.

Leaders of the security forces that battled the terrorists noted that the attackers were very well-trained and knew the locations well. Apparently some had come by sea while others had come earlier renting living quarters in Mumbai to prepare for the attack.

Intelligence officials are identifying clues that link the attack with al-Qaeda. For example, previous al-Qaeda attacks have also specifically requested the release of Muslim militants in Indian prisons.

Certain Indian and Pakistani terror groups linked closely with al-Qaeda have carried out frontal attacks with automatic weapons and grenades in India before although not on this scale. The specific targeting of Westerners and Israelis is a common al-Qaeda tactic but not seen in India before.

Also, the specific targeting of the orthodox Jewish Chabad House in Mumbai resembles an earlier plot by an Al-Qaeda affiliate group in Southeast Asia, Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) to attack the Chabad House in Bangkok, Thailand. There may even be a direct Southeast Asian connection as at least three of the militants pretending to be students carried Malaysian identity cards.



Mumbai attacks


Reaction to Mumbai attacks

Aljazeera.net
Mumbai attacks: Al-Qaeda methods & ideology
ABS CBN News, Philippines - 3 hours ago
These are tactics used by Al-Qaeda in past terror attacks, honed and passed along in its training camps; Lashkar-e-Toiba has long been linked to Al-Qaeda. ...
Al-Qaeda wants Pak to divert army to Indian border: journo IBNLive.com
Al Qaeda just one suspect in India terrorist attacks Los Angeles Times
Can al-Qaeda be Defeated? Times Online

Indian forces cleaning up terrorist pocket in Taj hotel

Indian commandos apparently routed the last terrorist holdouts in the Taj Mahal Hotel in Mumbai on Saturday morning.

The National Security Group said that three terrorists had died after a fierce battle that ignited a raging fire on the ground floor of the hotel.

There are still sanitizing operations that must be completed room-to-room to rescue people stranded in the hotel, clearing munitions and assuring that no terrorists are hiding in the building.

Indian forces fight last gunmen in hotel
International Herald Tribune - 1 hour ago
AP MUMBAI, India: Indian forces targeted the landmark Taj Mahal hotel with grenades and gunfire Saturday morning as suspected Muslim militants made a last stand, just hours after elite commandos stormed a Jewish center and found six hostages dead.

Gunfire and explosions rock Mumbai hotel Reuters UK

To watch live coverage on CNN-IBN, click on the link below:

http://www.cnn.com/video/flashLive/live.html?stream=stream2

Terrorists carry out coordinated attacks in Mumbai

There is a live terrorist attack going on in Mumbai that is still out of control. Reportedly involves multiple gangs carrying out coordinated attacks throughout the city and taking foreign hostages at 5-star hotels.

You can watch live on CNN-IBN at the link below:

http://www.cnn.com/video/flashLive/live.html?stream=stream2

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

Mumbai unrest after Thackeray arrest

Protests erupted in the city of Mumbai in India after the arrest of right-wing leader Raj Thackeray.

The controversial Thackeray was arrested for anti-immigrant activities. He is the nephew of Bal Thackeray, the founder of Shiv Sena, a Hindu religious political party. The elder Thackeray gained notoriety when he stated that he wanted to be the dictator and "Hitler" of all of India .

BBC News

Mumbai tense following arrest of right-wing leader Christian Science Monitor - 2 hours ago The detention of Raj Thackeray, an anti-immigrant activist, threatens to stoke communal tensions against workers from northern states in India's financial hub. Firebrand Indian politician's arrest sparks unrest AFP 'This time Raj seems to be in serious trouble' Times of India

Dalai Lama fasts and prays with people for peace

The 73-year-old Dalai Lama joined his follower in fasting and praying for peace from his hospital bed in Mumbai Saturday.

The Dalai Lama was hospitalized for fatigue after returning from a grueling travel schedule in Europe.

A spokesperson for the leader of Tibetan exiles said that the Dalai Lama is expected to return to Dharamsala, his home in the mountainous regions of northern India in a day or two.

Washington Post

Ailing Dalai Lama and Other Tibetan Exiles Fast For Peace Voice of America - 4 hours ago By VOA News Tibetan exiles in India fasted and prayed for peace on Saturday, and their spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, joined in from a hospital bed in Mumbai. Video: Dalai Lama in Indian Hospital for Tests AssociatedPress Tibetan exiles stage fast as Dalai Lama takes part in hospital AFP