Fresh Terror Attacks in Mumbai...again

Around 11:00 pm
NDTV started reporting on a shooting incident near Colaba and VT station. These locations were "very far apart in the city". VT station was repeatedly described as one of the largest railway stations in mumbai which gets local as well as outstation trains.

It was funny seeing the anchors with absolutely no idea of Mumbai geography stumbling with the locations, their distance and giving repeated descriptions of the locations.

Around 11:15 pm
"There have been several shooting incidents in Mumbai"
There has been blast at Oberoi hotel.
Shooting inside the VT station.

It wasn’t funny any more.

Around 11:20 pm
People have been evacuated from the VT station. All trains on the Central line have been stopped.

A shooting incident is also reported in Vile Parle.
Shooting also at the Trident Hotel, previously called the Hilton Hotel.

11:20 pm

A Mr. Sharma of the railways says “2 people have been killed by shooting inside the VT station”

Around 11:25 pm
Shooting happening at the VT station. There is news of terrorists holed up inside the station.
There is also news of shooting at the Taj Hotel.

Police are out on the streets of the city with weapons drawn.

Around 11: 30 pm
Abu Azmi – of all people: TV, irony thy name – is brought on the line saying "this is an obvious intelligence failure"

11:40 pm

There is news of terrorists having held up people at Oberoi hotel and the VT station.

There is news of a bomb explosion at the Oberoi hotel as well. Flames are seen at the hotel.

11:45 pm

There has been shooting outside the airport and near Santa Cruz.

Around 11: 50 pm
Milind Deora, MP from South Mumbai comes on camera on NDTV. Says "I am going around South Mumbai. This is clearly not a bomb attack." He almost sounded relieved. People are dying, but hey, it isn't a bomb attack.

"The main message your channel should convey is that people shouldn't panic." Reminded me of the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. Whatever happens, the solution is DON'T PANIC. And I'm sure in a few days our esteemed Home Minister Mr. Shivraj Patil will come in an impeccably dressed safari suit to say that people should maintain peace and communal harmony.

11:55 pm

PM’s office confirms news of incidents in Mumbai

Around 11:57 pm
News coming in of gun shots being fired at Cama and GT hospitals where the injured are being brought in.

12:00 midnight
Correspondent: “Home ministry has sprung into action. They are confirming reports of 5 incidents in Mumbai. There is going to be something at the Home Minister’s house”

News Anchor: There are clearly more than 5 incidents. Probably 6 or 7.

00:02 am

Anurag (Correspondent): I have seen 20-25 dead bodies with my own eyes at Saint George’s hospital. There was a horrible explosion at a taxi with parts of the taxi being flung up to 4^th floor of neighbouring buildings.

00:06 am

City is under an unprecedented scale of attack from north to south of the city. We can confirm at least 25 killed.

00:08 am

A DGP of Maharashtra: “Unknown terrorists have opened fire indiscriminately. There have also been grenade blasts. At least 7-8 places. At least 2 places, terrorists are holed up – Taj and Oberoi Hotel.”

00:13 am

Policemen shown in position outside the famous Taj hotel. “Operation is on in the 2^nd floor of the hotel. Commandos and a senior level hotel are inside”

A fire shown raging at the Trident Hotel.

00:15 am

Very serious explosion at Bori Bandar at Victoria Terminus.

“A team of black cat commandos being sent in to help the police engaged in the encounter”

00:17 am

Reports of an explosion inside the Taj hotel as well.

Ibnlive website lists 10 dead at VT station shooting, 10 more by an explosion at a petrol station, 3 dead in a bomb explosion in a taxi at Mazgaon docks and 3 more at the Taj Hotel.

00:24 am

Advani has called up PM and asked about what has happened. Sonia Gandhi calls up CM Vilasrao Deshmukh and asks for a report on the incidents.

It just goes on and on….