Terrorist Attacks In Mumbai

By Big Tent Democrat, Section War on Terror
Posted on Wed Nov 26, 2008 at 05:53:07 PM EST
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Here is the NYTimes reporting on the attacks:

Coordinated terror attacks struck the heart of Mumbai, India’s commercial capital, Wednesday night, killing dozens in machine-gun and grenade assaults on at least two five-star hotels, the city’s largest train station, a movie theater and a hospital. The Mumbai police said the attacks killed at least 75 people and wounded 240, according to preliminary reports. There were also reports that hostages had been taken in at least one of the hotels, with Americans and British nationals being singled out.

[More...]

Gunfire and explosions rang out well into the night, and hours after the assaults began parts of the landmark Taj hotel, next to the iconic Gateway of India, were in flames. Fire fighters worked to rescue guests from the windows of their rooms on the top floors. Fire also raged inside the posh Oberoi Hotel, according to police. Several high-ranking law enforcement officials, including the chief of the anti-terror squad and a commissioner of police, were reported killed. The military was quickly called in to assist the police.

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Terrorist Attacks In Mumbai | 38 comments (38 topical)

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The repercussions are going to be (5.00 / 2) (#4)
by Radiowalla on Wed Nov 26, 2008 at 07:13:51 PM EST

enormous.

My heart breaks to see the human carnage and the incineration of the Taj Hotel, a national landmark. If you can bear it, go to the Times of India and look at the video feed.

The family dropped our (5.00 / 1) (#5)
by Militarytracy on Wed Nov 26, 2008 at 07:21:10 PM EST

Thanksgiving Eve lounging and huddled around the TV for a bit. Has dampened the festive feel.

: Yes (none / 0) (#7)
by Radiowalla on Wed Nov 26, 2008 at 07:44:24 PM EST

There always seems to be some terrible event that makes our giving of thanks more poignant, more bittersweet.

[ Parent ]

For people who want hear more about this (5.00 / 3) (#17)
by ajain on Wed Nov 26, 2008 at 09:19:54 PM EST

They are bunch of South Asian Journalists talking about the situation. Its a very interesting conversation for people who want to find out more about how it is on the ground. The stories on CNN just don't seem to get what is happening on the ground and so this can bring you a different perspective from people who know a lot about the region.

Its a live feed from 10:00 pm to 11:30 pm eastern time.

Discussion is not US-centric. Refreshing. (none / 0) (#33)
by cymro on Thu Nov 27, 2008 at 04:24:26 AM EST

There will be another installment of this discussion every 12 hours, at 7:00am and 7:00pm EST.

ajain, thank you for posting this link.

[ Parent ]

: Sorry, those times were PST (none / 0) (#34)
by cymro on Thu Nov 27, 2008 at 04:43:30 AM EST

The EST times are 10:00am and 10:00pm. For more details see www.blogtalkradio.com/saja

[ Parent ]

gee, and these guys (5.00 / 1) (#18)
by cpinva on Wed Nov 26, 2008 at 10:28:45 PM EST

(islamist terrorists) wonder why people dislike them. after all, they are doing "allah's" work.

it always struck me as odd that the various fundamentalist religious groups didn't get together, they have so much in common. a complete lack of a sense of shame, or any ethics whatever, for starters. that, and every heinous act they commit is done in god's name.

Terrrorists of all kinds (5.00 / 1) (#22)
by gyrfalcon on Wed Nov 26, 2008 at 10:39:11 PM EST

don't care whether they're liked or not. Their objective is to try to provoke an overreaction that will enrage the population against the government and/or bring down the society as a whole.

Not at all clear whether the Mumbai focus on Brits and American's is aimed at Britain and America, or simply at tourism and business in Mumbai, which is heavily dependent on Westerners.

After a while, it just degenerates into nihilism, seems to me.

[ Parent ]

I'm pretty sure there are many, (none / 0) (#20)
by oculus on Wed Nov 26, 2008 at 10:34:55 PM EST

many fundamentalists of the various religious groups who do not commit violent acts.

[ Parent ]

Religious fundamentalists (5.00 / 1) (#21)
by andgarden on Wed Nov 26, 2008 at 10:38:30 PM EST

don't have to blow stuff up to give me an unfavorable opinion of them.

[ Parent ]

: They are collaborators (none / 0) (#25)
by Radiowalla on Wed Nov 26, 2008 at 10:51:21 PM EST

when they look the other way.

[ Parent ]

Hmm.. AFAIK there are violent (none / 0) (#30)
by ThatOneVoter on Thu Nov 27, 2008 at 12:22:25 AM EST

fundamentalists in Christianity, Islam, Hunduism, Judaism.. for starters.

[ Parent ]

No words come to mind. (none / 0) (#1)
by oculus on Wed Nov 26, 2008 at 06:35:08 PM EST

Except thanks for posting this article.

More (none / 0) (#2)
by squeaky on Wed Nov 26, 2008 at 06:54:34 PM EST

A media report says a little-known group, the Deccan Mujahideen, has claimed responsibility for the Mumbai terrorist attacks.

intlHT

Seems like Americans and British have been singled out.

Or Not (none / 0) (#3)
by squeaky on Wed Nov 26, 2008 at 07:01:16 PM EST

Reports also said 15 foreigners had been taken hostage in the Taj. Three foreigners, including a Belgian and an Indonesian, also were reported taken hostage in the Trident hotel, which is connected to the Oberoi, according to NDTV news channel.

The WSJ mentions nothing about Americans and Britons being singled out.

[ Parent ]

An early WSJ article is the last word? (none / 0) (#9)
by gyrfalcon on Wed Nov 26, 2008 at 07:53:15 PM EST

Both CNN and MSNBC are reporting that in at least one of the hotels, guests' passports were asked for, and the Brits and Americans -- wait for it -- singled out and taken away.

[ Parent ]

Last Word? (none / 0) (#11)
by squeaky on Wed Nov 26, 2008 at 07:55:49 PM EST

What are you talking about. How should I know? I have read three reports and have no idea what is actually going on, save there is chaos and lots of destruction.

[ Parent ]

My apologies, squeaky (none / 0) (#24)
by gyrfalcon on Wed Nov 26, 2008 at 10:45:22 PM EST

I failed to notice that the commenter you appeared to be correcting was, in fact, yourself.

[ Parent ]

: No Problem (none / 0) (#29)
by squeaky on Thu Nov 27, 2008 at 12:03:05 AM EST

That makes sense. I have been there too.

[ Parent ]

I guess calling Obama the 'House Negro' (none / 0) (#8)
by blogtopus on Wed Nov 26, 2008 at 07:48:51 PM EST

Didn't work as well as planned.

Hopefully with cooler (and smarter) heads in power, our military and 'black ops' will be much better utilized.

In any case, this really sucks. What a horrible thing to have happen.

I fail to see the connection. (none / 0) (#10)
by oculus on Wed Nov 26, 2008 at 07:55:00 PM EST

[ Parent ]

Huh????? (none / 0) (#16)
by Radiowalla on Wed Nov 26, 2008 at 09:10:57 PM EST

Sorry for the missing link (none / 0) (#19)
by blogtopus on Wed Nov 26, 2008 at 10:30:11 PM EST

A couple weeks ago we knew what was being said about Obama's win, Al Queda trying to goad him into attacking them by making ugly references to his race and U.S. History.

Well, even though these guys are likely not Al Queda (sp, sorry), the fact that they are attacking Brits and Yanks seems to be pointing towards us, no? If they are smart at all, they are also trying to goad the U.S. into attacking them again.

So I said that since making fun of Obama didn't seem to faze him (actually, we don't know until he takes office), they decided to take a more direct route.

My 2 cents of course. Sorry if the point didn't come across.

[ Parent ]

Bit of a stretch, blogtopus, IMO (5.00 / 1) (#23)
by gyrfalcon on Wed Nov 26, 2008 at 10:40:26 PM EST

I think so too (none / 0) (#26)
by Militarytracy on Wed Nov 26, 2008 at 11:16:15 PM EST

One news report that I watched said that the U.S. had no idea to expect a hit at this time. Now, it is just a news report.....they can lie and be told lies. I'm not sure what Biden was talking about when he said that thing he said. Biden is notorious for saying goofy things.

[ Parent ]

Biden runs off at the mouth (5.00 / 2) (#27)
by gyrfalcon on Wed Nov 26, 2008 at 11:43:38 PM EST

at the drop of a hat. I think Obama's going to have serious problems with him. (And everybody says Bill Clinton is a problem? Hah.)

He can't resist a good storyline when it occurs to him, whether it's true or not. Not my favorite guy, gotta say.

[ Parent ]

: He should be in cable news! (5.00 / 1) (#32)
by Fabian on Thu Nov 27, 2008 at 03:06:33 AM EST

Speaking of people who love to latch onto a good narrative, true or not.

[ Parent ]

Some of the attackers (none / 0) (#12)
by andgarden on Wed Nov 26, 2008 at 08:14:55 PM EST

have apparently been caught alive, so I have a feeling we'll know who was behind this in short order.

Waterboarding (none / 0) (#13)
by squeaky on Wed Nov 26, 2008 at 08:17:57 PM EST

Should make them spill the bean, no?

[ Parent ]

In the back of my mind I was thinking (none / 0) (#14)
by andgarden on Wed Nov 26, 2008 at 08:22:38 PM EST

"I hope the Indians don't torture."

I have a feeling their professionals understand that it doesn't work.

[ Parent ]

: Capable intelligent services (5.00 / 1) (#15)
by koshembos on Wed Nov 26, 2008 at 08:36:50 PM EST

know a lot about the backgrounds of suspects they catch. There is an ocean of difference between waterboarding, torture in general, and putting a suspect in a very difficult position. No need to talk about torture right away. The Indian security services are not run by idiots.

[ Parent ]
: Me Too (none / 0) (#28)
by squeaky on Wed Nov 26, 2008 at 11:56:44 PM EST

But I am sure that you are right that we will find out who is behind this because what kind of terrorist would not want you to know who they are representing.
Otherwise it is not a terrorist but a psychotic.

[ Parent ]

Well as you say (none / 0) (#31)
by blogtopus on Thu Nov 27, 2008 at 12:39:05 AM EST

Thanks for making my point more clearly, Gyrfalcon.

Conflating Al Queda & Terrorist Acts in India? (none / 0) (#35)
by BackFromOhio on Thu Nov 27, 2008 at 02:22:04 PM EST

I'm a bit concerned that U.S. media is rushing to assume that terrorist acts in India are directly linked to Al Queda; even Rawstory is promoting this notion. Greatest support given for this is fact that 2 hotels targeted. As Fareed Zakaria points out in his piece at Newsweek online, these are hotels where Indians hang out; if the terrorists had planned to go after Americans and British, they would have hit the Mumbai Hilton & Marriott hotels instead. Zakaria also points to possible relationship of terrorists with anger over Kashmir.
An Asia expert from the Rand Corporation (I now don't recall where I read about her) says that there much reason for the Islamic minority to be unhappy in India, and she believes the terrorist strikes in Mumbai are indigenous.

Financial Times article (none / 0) (#36)
by oculus on Thu Nov 27, 2008 at 02:27:05 PM EST

says can't rule out Al-Qaida, armed men arrived by boat on shore of Mumbai, and recently discovered suicide belts at one of the hotels, at least. Who knows? Also, apparently a very well-planned operation.

[ Parent ]

But (none / 0) (#37)
by BackFromOhio on Thu Nov 27, 2008 at 10:16:34 PM EST

how do the factors you cite implicate Al-Qaida?

[ Parent ]

: The suicide belts seemd to be (none / 0) (#38)
by oculus on Fri Nov 28, 2008 at 12:54:41 AM EST

important to the people consulted in the article. Now AP is relying on some security guru who is based at a think tank in Singapore. Much to be discovered, I gather.

[ Parent ]

bombay attack other side of picture (none / 0) (#39)
by alikhan on Fri Nov 28, 2008 at 03:11:36 PM EST

Its so sad Shocking news to every one, and more over this is the time to be united.Please pray for the people who effected in the bad incident.

But may be Pakistan is not involve in it.may be its plane by any indian agencies like in Samjohota Express to show america that they are as affected as America or pakistan.it does not matter 4 agencies tht they can kill their own people for internation interse.
Think about it.
why pakistanies will do this try to feel the pain of pakistanies people who loses more life than indian in this terroist war. than how u can say that these people are muslim and pakistanies.if they are muslim then why they are killing inocent people in pakistan .In last year pakistan has more sucside attack then any other country in the world.then who is responsible for that. this is not the time to Blame but to think positively.
Dot just blame Pakistan or Islam.

like Mugdha and others blaming pakistan for all that and saying that india has given enhough time to change its wrong absoultly wrong.just look at the facts that acctually pakistan has given indian agencies alot of time but they are not changed their behavior.pakistan has more proof then india that india is supporting terriost in pakistan to kill inocent people in pakistan and every one in world knows this truth.you people are so much heart by this terriost attack but can you feel the pain of thoes poor security gurads or police man aor other peoples thoes are the only supporter of their famlies . dont blame pakistan just look at the FACTS then decied whats the realiaty

1) When bomba blast in sanjohata Express and india blam pakistan .but accttualyat the end its prove wrong and the truth is indian army officers are responsible for that . if you LOOK at that time next morning Pakistani fornminister is going to talk to indian fornminister about peace proccess between two country.

2) Same at this time again pakistani fornminister is in india for peace talk . and this sad incident hapend .and indian politician and media starts blaming pakistan .It showes that some callpurates in india does not want peace.

3) Very IMPOTANT thing is that if any one with this number of people and with big amount of expolusive and wapon then whats indian police and border agencies are doing .its impossible that any one from out side the country can entre in the country like this in the day time in front of every one.its a drama by indian agencies just to show ameraca that we have affacted by terrorism .I am amaze that they kill too much people in their own country just for to get the attension of america .

4)i feel very bad for india media that there role is not so good they are just try to misguide their people and government .From very first second they are blaming pakistan and islam .this is not right attiude.they should wait till tje operation end and police does its investigision and come to a conculusion. i just want to khow that from first second how indian mediia blame Pakistan.with out any investigasion.Indian media should play a fair role and dont try to make any misprepation.media should look at their role.
just look at the fact that what your agencies are doing with their own people then blame others .