On the evening of November 26, 2008 terrorists struck in a highly
synchronized attack at several locations in Mumbai, India. This web
page provides a brief description of the attack, links to news articles
about the attack in chronological order, and other Internet resources.
Description of the Nov 2008 Mumbai, India
Terrorist Attacks
What Happened. At around 10:00 pm on Wednesday, November
28, 2008 in a very well-planned attack on several locations in Mumbai,
India, several teams of terrorists attacked targets killing and injuring a large number of
people. Although westerners (especially British and United State
citizens) were targeted, most of the fatalities were Indian citizens. Some of the targets included
a restaurant, Jewish community center, hospital, CST railway station, and
two luxury hotels. Hostages were held for a time in two of
luxury Mumbai's hotels and a Jewish centre. Some of the terrorists were killed and others were
captured. Approximately 195 people were killed, including at least eleven
members of the police and security forces and nine foreigners. Many more were injured -
numbering in the hundreds - approximately 295. The event lasted
about three days with the terrorists finally being dislodged from the Taj
Hotel on the final day.
About Mumbai. Mumbai is called the financial capital of
India. Mumbai (sometimes called Bombay or Mombay) is a city of 19
million people and a center for tourism and commercialism. Mumbai
was a peaceful city but in 1992 Hindu's rioted and killed over 900
Muslims. In 1995 the city was renamed from Bombay to Mumbai.
The attacks took place in southern Mumbai in the heart of the tourist
district.
Who Are the Terrorists? An
organization called the
Deccan Mujahideen has claimed responsibility;
however, this may be a front name for a much larger, well-known terrorist
group. It is quite likely that the terrorists are members of the
Lashkar e Toiba
(or the self-described Indian Mujaheedin) and/or the
Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI). It appears there were
about 15 terrorists involved in the attack. Initial descriptions of
the terrorists were that they were masked young men in T-shirts and jeans,
heavily armed and carrying backpacks filled with explosives, ammunition,
and grenades. There is a lot of speculation
that the gunmen may have
been from Pakistan
and/or Kashmir or at least supported by
terrorist groups operating from that country. Two of the terrorists
were British citizens of Pakistani origin.
The Victims. The victims were mostly Indian citizens
although a number of foreigners were killed to include German (3), French
(2), Canadian (1), Australian (1), Singaporean (1), Japanese (1), British,
Israeli (5), and American (5) citizens. In total, approximately 23
foreigners were killed including five Americans. Those killed in the
Oberoi Hotel included an American
father and daughter from Virginia (Alan and Naomi Scherr). They
were members of the
Synchronicity Foundation. A
tribute website
has been established for memorialize the Scherr's.
What Were the Terrorists Trying to Accomplish? By striking
at the financial center of India, and a place of great tourism
significance, the terrorists were probably trying to spread fear to
Western tourists and businessmen who travel frequently to Mumbai and also
to affect the Indian economy. In the short-term many international
firms closed their offices and cancelled travel to Mumbai. The
coordinated attack showed high levels of sophistication and planning.
One possible reason for the attacks were to chill the relations between
Pakistan and India.
The Targets.
Taj Mahal Palace and Tower Hotel. Hostages were held on one of the upper floors
and in the ballroom of the
Taj Mahal Palace & Tower Hotel. Two explosions on the top
floors of the Taj were shown live on Indian TV. The hotel was built
in 1903. Approximately 50 deaths here and three terrorists killed.
Oberoi Trident Hotel. Two terrorists were killed at the
Oberoi Trident Hotel, The Oberoi's 18th floor was engulfed in
flames. Hostages were held for a time on the 19th floor. At
least 41 individuals were killed in the Oberoi. Approximately 30
deaths here and two terrorists killed.
Leopold Cafe. This cafe is a restaurant frequented by foreigners
and backpackers.
A number of people were killed at the Leopold Cafe.
More than ten people were shot. This restaurant has been in
existence since 1871.
Cama Hospital. Some people were killed in the
Cama
Hospital.
CST Terminal. This rail station used to be called the Victoria Terminus Train Station
but is now called the
Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus. Several people were killed here.
The terrorists attacked the main hall of the terminal, then after security
arrived, went on to attack the Cama Hospital.
Mumbai Jewish Centre. It appears that the hostages in the Jewish
Centre, also called the
Nariman House (or Harriman House), were killed during the hostage
rescue attempt. The Indian commandos landed on the roof after being
transported by helicopter and blew a hole in a outer wall of the building.
Eight hostages are known dead to include the
rabbi and his wife. The
center was owned by the ultra-orthodox Jewish group
Chabad Lubavitch.
At least one security officer was killed at this location. Two
terrorists were killed at this location.
More Information. The terrorists used automatic weapons
and hand grenades. The attacks took place mostly in the southern
part of the large city. The chief of the Mumbai police
anti-terrorism squad was killed while responding to the attacks. Some of the terrorists stole a police jeep and rode through Mumbai
shooting at random.
Terrorists Infiltrated Mumbai by Sea. It appears that the
terrorists may have infiltrated Mumbai by sea. It is thought that
some the attackers infiltrated the Mumbai area of the attacks from the sea
possibly on a
boat called the Kubar. The boat has been found off the coast with four
crew members missing and the captain killed - his hands bound and shot.
It is believed the terrorists left the large boat on small inflatable
boats. There are several possible reasons for using the sea for
entry to include arrival from a foreign country (Pakistan?), an attempt to
not have the Mumbai traffic affect the coordinated attacks, and the fact
that entry into the city by road or rail is watched by security personnel.
Some news reports indicated that they boarded a merchant ship in Karachi,
Pakistan that was bound for India. Enroute to Mumbai they hijacked
another vessel, killed its captain, and then made their way to Mumbai at
which point they left the larger boat and transloaded onto three small
rubber boats.
Mumbai has seen terrorist attacks in the past to include
attacks that killed hundreds of people in 1993 and 2006. In 2006 the
commuter train system was attacked using bombs and over 200 people were
killed and about 700 injured.
There are numerous terrorist groups in India and many of them are
anti-Western. These include Harkat-ul-Jihad-i-Islami, Jaish-e-Mohammed,
Lashkar-e Tayyiba, and Harakat ul-Mujahidin. A source of discontent
spawning terrorist groups is the tenuous state of Kashmir - of which both
India and Pakistan claim as part of their country.
Terrorism in India. By The New York Times. A history of
and breaking news on terrorism in India. A listing of past NYTs
articles on terrorism in India.
