Here is a timeline of how the terror attacks in unfolded, in the space of two hours, in local time (five-and-a-half hours ahead of UK time):
Leopold Café: 9.15pm
Five terrorists armed with AK-47 rifles barge into the cafe, which is popular with tourists, and start firing at diners and throwing grenades.
Nariman House, Colaba: 9.20pm
Two men on a scooter throw a grenade at a petrol station close to the Bootleggers pub, a nightspot popular with backpackers, damaging the facade but missing the pumps.
They then run into a business and residential complex, apparently killing two people and taking a number of hostages, thought to include a rabbi and his family.
CST Railway Station: 9.24pm
Gunmen start shooting at the ticket reservation counter of the station. A number of people are believed to have been killed and dozens wounded in this attack. The terrorists then ran out of the station.
Taj Mahal Palace Hotel: 9.30pm
Armed men walk into the hotel through the service entrance and start firing and throwing grenades. They were reportedly looking for British and American nationals and took up to 100 hostages.
A massive fire broke out at the hotel which firefighters were still battling the next morning. At least two terrorists are thought to have been killed in the hotel. Hermant Kerkare, chief of the police anti-terrorist squad was killed during the operation to retake the hotel.
Five minutes after the drama began at the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, the same scenario was played out at another of the city’s most expensive hotels.
The next morning commandos were sent in to rescue those trapped inside. Two hotel staff, one security guard and two terrorists are thought to have been killed at the hotel.
Vile Parle: 9.55pm
A taxi is blown up in a suburb of the city further north than the rest of the attacks.
Cama Hospital: 10.15pm
Terrorists in a hijacked Skoda drew up at a hospital in the south of the city and began firing randomly outside and inside the hospital. Five people are thought to have been killed, including a police inspector, two police constables and two security men.
Metro Cinema: 10.30pm
Gunmen opened fire at two policemen near the cinema, before hijacking a police vehicle.
Wadi Bunder: 10.45pm
Another taxi was blown up and at least three people killed, including the driver of the taxi. About 15 other people are reported injured.
Girgaum: 10.50pm
Two terrorists open fire after being confronted by police. Both gunmen were killed and police discovered two rib-type boats filled with explosives.
Link and map>>>
Sky News has an e-mail from terrorist group and also says that they have received telephone call from terroists at the Nariman point wanting to negotiate. I believe this is where the Israeli’s were taken hostage.
I’m off for Thanksgiving dinner later.
I’m hoping someone can find a copy of that e-mail online.