Comments on: Mumbai Continued

By: Bryan

Bryan — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 18:20:47 +0000

Good news, Steve, although I assume that travel will be a bit tied up for quite a while.

I think that’s the third or fourth time the last attacker has been killed at the Taj, so I’ll wait a little longer, Kryten.

The Indian media are fooling themselves if they think this is the worst that is going to happen. As India and Pakistan normalize relations both the Hindu and Muslim extremists will ratchet up the attacks. The Hindus will have a response in short order.

Of course the majority of those killed were innocent bystanders just trying to get on with their lives the best way they knew how. Average Indian workers and families who probably don’t even vote or belong to a political party.

By: Kryten42

Kryten42 — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 08:00:37 +0000

Our evening news just reported that Indian commando's have killed the last militant. They did a huge amount of damage to the hotels and other buildings. So far, they report that two Aussies have been killed, and an estimated total of 155 civilians dead. The Indian media are calling it the 'Indian 9/11'. ABC (AU) News: Taj hotel siege ends, militants killed

By: Steve Bates

Steve Bates — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 06:06:37 +0000

Personal update: at least as of about noon Friday (our time), our friend is safe. She is visiting relatives in New Delhi. I know that there are no absolutely safe places, but we are greatly relieved by the news.

By: Bryan

Bryan — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 05:02:42 +0000

Actually, the Indian government is doing its best to block all live video saying that the terrorists may be monitoring the news, which is probably true.

They have also issued an appeal to Indian bloggers to stop reporting police movements.

Apparently there is a running Twitter stream that has been a constant source of raw data which I would certainly hope that someone in the US counter-terrorism effort is tracking.

There is also a massive amount of raw video and digital pictures being moved on line from locals which would be immensely helpful in reconstructing what happened if there is a good local timestamp.

Without the live feeds, the corporate news moves on and you have to shift to the ‘Net for updates.

The media prefers the live pictures and official statements, and I don’t think the Indians want to provide either.

Nothing I’ve seen about Black Friday makes me want to venture out of the house. The only “Black Friday Special” I’ve ever bought was two weeks later as it was too expensive for the vultures on the day.

By: cookie jill

cookie jill — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 04:29:39 +0000

Non cable networks aren’t covering it…they’re more interested in Black Friday then in bloody stuff that will dampen people’s shopping days.

MSNBC is back to Lock Up block Weekend.

Looks like everyone is “ho hum…doesn’t affect me so why bother”

By: Bryan

Bryan — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 23:15:41 +0000

Many of those listed as foreign casualties are either naturalized citizens born in India or the children of Indian immigrants. The statements about the gunmen asking for those carrying US or UK passports doesn’t make sense unless you understand that, as most Westerners would assume that British and American citizens would be obvious.

To some extent the attacks were randomized to spread the terror and disrupt the response. There are reports of incidents of drive by shootings, with terrorist driving around and firing from a vehicle.

With the exception of the police station, they went after soft targets which would have little security but international fame, like the hotels, the cafe, and the train station.

Anyone could have been hurt who was anywhere near the city.

By: Steve Bates

Steve Bates — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 22:38:38 +0000

I neglected to mention that our friend, though born and raised in Mumbai, is a naturalized American citizen and travels under an American passport. More cause for fingernail-biting.

By: Steve Bates

Steve Bates — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 22:36:08 +0000

Stella and I are still awaiting word of our elderly Indian-American friend whom I’ve mentioned occasionally on my site. Last weekend, we chatted with her at her grandson’s fourth birthday party. She was headed to Mumbai in a couple of days to visit relatives for a few weeks, and presumably is there now. Stella emailed her son before she (Stella) headed to work this morning; there hasn’t really been time for a reply, and besides, Stella can’t check her personal email from work. Of course it would be cause for concern in any case, but having a friend there certainly gives us a very direct personal stake in the matter.

Thanks for the links; I’m off to view the wiki and the map now.