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2 NSG men killed, six others injured in Mumbai gunbattles
Mumbai, Nov 28 (PTI) Two NSG personnel, including an officer, were today killed and six other commandos injured during operations against terrorists in Mumbai, the first casualties suffered by the elite force during the siege.
Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan, 31, was killed while engaging terrorists this morning at the Taj hotel, an NSG spokesperson told PTI.
Commando Chander received fatal bullet injuries during gunbattle at Nariman House, the official said.
Six other commandos were also injured during the encounters with terrorists at Taj hotel, Oberoi-Trident and Nariman House.
Major Unnikrishnan was with the 51 Special Action Group of the force and was with the NSG on deputation.
He has been with the Black Cat commando force for the last two years.
An officer of the Bihar Regiment, he was commissioned in the Indian Army in June 1999.
The officer had joined the NSG on deputation in January 2007 after having served two tenures with his battalion in counter insurgency and counter terrorism roles.
The officer hails from Bangalore where his father works for the Indian Space Research Organisation.PTI
Pak troops violate ceasefire: Army
Jammu, Nov 28 (PTI) Pakistani troops opened fire on Indian positions along LoC in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir, the second ceasefire violation in as many days, a senior army officer said today.
Pakistani soldiers fired on Indian position in Tarkundi belt along Line of Control in Poonch district 2100 hours last night, the officer told PTI.
The intermittent firing continued for over an hour.
Indian troops did not respond to the "provocative" acts. "This is second ceasefire violation by the Pakistan in less than 24 hours along LoC in J&K", he said.
On November 26, Pakistani troops fired on Indian post in Khour Border Out Post along LoC in Jammu district in which one Havaldar Pratap Singh of 9 Raj Rifles was critically injured.
The violation of the four-year-old truce came despite an assurance from Islamabad last month that no cross firing would be resorted to.
Two BSF jawans were injured shelling from Pakistan on Indian posts of Durga and Naka-11 in Jammu border on November 4.
This is 38th ceasefire violation since January this year and seventh in Sabzian sub-sector where two jawans were killed in September.
Also, over 132 infiltration bids have been reported in the last nine months from across the LoC in which 80 militants have been killed. PTI
Oberoi-Trident cleared, says NSG; 2 terrorists killed
Mumbai, Nov 28 (PTI) After battling the terrorists for two days at the Oberoi-Trident, the National Security Guards today cleared the hotel of militants, killing two of them while six bodies were recovered from the premises.
"The Oberoi-Trident is now in under our control. The two terrorists holed up there have been killed," NSG Director General J K Dutt told reporters outside the hotel in south Mumbai.
Six bodies were also recovered from the hotel, he said.
The NSG has recovered two AK-47 assault rifles, one pistol and grenades, some unexploded, from the terrorists, he said, adding the explosives will now be defused.
"We are presently sanitising every room to make sure no undesirable elements are there and relief can be provided to guests there," Dutt said. PTI
Initial info suggests Pak hand in Mumbai attack: Pranab
Soumik Dey
Jodhpur, Nov 28 (PTI) India today said preliminary information suggested that "some elements" in Pakistan were responsible for the terror strikes in Mumbai.
New Delhi is expected to take up the matter with Islamabad when Prime Minister Manmohan Singh speaks with Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari later in the day.
"According to preliminary information, some elements in Pakistan are responsible for Mumbai terror attacks," External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee told reporters here.
"Proof cannot be disclosed at this time," he said, noting that Pakistan had assured India that it will not allow use of its territory for launching attacks against this country.
Pakistan had given this assurance at a meeting Singh and Zardari had on the margins of the United Nations General Assembly session on September 24.
In an address to the nation, the Prime Minister had yesterday blamed elements outside the country for the terror strikes in Mumbai and warned that India will not tolerate the use of territory of its neighbours for attacks in the country.
India will take up "strongly with our neighbours that the use of their territory for launching attacks on us will not be tolerated, and that there would be a cost if suitable measures are not taken by them." Singh had said the "well-planned and well-orchestrated attacks, probably with external linkages, were intended to create a sense of panic by choosing high profile targets and indiscriminately killing foreigners." PTI
Israeli experts say Indian forces acted prematurely in Mumbai
Jerusalem, Nov 28 (PTI) Indian Security forces were premature in storming the besieged prime premises taken over by the terrorists in Mumbai, Israeli security experts have opined.
Criticising the handling of the hostage crisis, the experts said "Indians should have sanitized the area and first collected intelligence about the terrorists before launching flushing out operations," a media report here said.
"In hostage situations, the first thing the forces are supposed to do is assemble at the scene and begin collecting intelligence,"a former official in Israel's famed anti-terror agency Shin Bet told 'The Jerusalem Post'.
"In this case, it appears that the forces showed up at the scene and immediately began exchanging fire with the terrorists instead of first taking control of the area," he said.
Defenceofficials told the dailythat Israel was not planning on sending commando units but had offered the Indians any assistance they required. PTI
Offensive for Kilinochchi slowed by hostile weather: military
T V Sriram
Colombo, Nov 28 (PTI) Hostile weather has slowed the military offensive to capture the LTTE stronghold of Kilinochchi in northern Sri Lanka, as jets bombed two vital rebel communication centres, the defence ministry said today.
At least two LTTE rebels were killed as heavy monsoon rains prompted the Sri Lankan army to exercise caution while moving towards the LTTE headquarters of Kilinochchi even as jets targeted two radio Communication centers that were perhaps used to air Tiger supremo Velupillai Prabhakaran "Heroes' Week" speech yesterday.
Soldiers of the 57 division and the Task Force 1 are closing in on Kilinochchi town, battlefield sources said. The two offensive divisions are currently lined up along the western and southern boundaries of Kilinochchi and making calibrated moves in line with the hostile weather and the terrain, the military said.
"Troops are very clear of their mission; it is not the real state that they are interested in but the elimination of terrorism," the Defence Ministry was quoted as saying in a report. "The floods have made extremely it difficult for the soldiers to detect mines and traps ....So they have to be extra cautious in their march," it said.
At Killinochchi, Lankan fighter jets carried out air strike on two important LTTE radio communication centers in Paranthan junction yesterday. The Sri Lankan air force confirmed that the air strikes were accurately engaged, the Media Centre for National Security (MCNS) said. PTI
Somali pirates hijack ship with 25 Indian crew
Kuala Lumpur, Nov 28 (PTI) Somali pirates today hijacked a Liberian-flagged chemical tanker with a 31-member crew, including 25 Indians.
"The tanker, flying a Liberian flag and operated and managed by Singapore, was hijacked by Somali pirates in the African waters," Noel Choong, head of the International Maritime Bureau's Piracy Reporting Centre, told PTI here.
Andrew Mwangura, East Africa's coordinator of the Seafarers Assistance Programme (SAP), said the vessel was seized in the pirate-infested Gulf of Aden.
"The pirates seized the Liberian flagged chemical tanker in the Gulf of Aden.... There are three Indonesians, about 25 Indians and the remaining (crew) could be British," Mwangura was quoted as saying by China's official Xinhua news agency.
"I received the report of the hijack today and I have not established the name of the vessel and where it was sailing to and when exactly the tanker was seized," Mwangura said.
According to a AP report, three British security guards on board the tanker were rescued by helicopters after they jumped into the sea.
Meanwhile, Somali pirates have released a Greek ship, which they hijacked in September in the waters off the restive Horn of Africa region. PTI
Too early to say whether Mumbai attackers are Britons: UK PM
London, Nov 28 (PTI) Amid reports that the Mumbai attackers included British citizens of Pakistani origin, Premier Gordon Brown today said it was too early to tell whether Britons were involved in terror strikes on two luxury hotels and other public places in India's financial hub.
Brown said he would discuss the attacks with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, as the Indian Government said the attackers came from outside the country.
Asked about the media reports that said the terrorists included "British citizens of Pakistani origin", Brown told Sky News: "I would not want to be drawn into early conclusions about this." "There is so much information still to be discovered and made available. I have heard what Prime Minister Singh has said and I'll talk to him about it....
"But obviously when you have terrorists operating in one country they may be getting support from another country or coming from another country and it is very important that we strengthen the cooperation between India and Britain in dealing with these instances of terrorist attacks," he said.
Brown said as far as the Government was aware, there were no British hostages in Mumbai now.
He said ministers were determined to do what they could to help the Indian authorities dealing with the attacks. PTI
Test series on, home sojourn to help players: ECB
Bhubaneswar, Nov 28 (PTI) The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) today asserted that the Test series against India is very much on and at the same time felt a home sojourn would do a lot of good to Kevin Pietersen and his teammates who are shocked by the Mumbai mayhem.
"We're going to London to re-evaluate the situation but the Test series is still in place," Hugh Morris, ECB managing director, said as England left Bhubaneswar for Bangalore to catch a connecting flight to London.
Assuring that the side would return for the two-match Test series starting next month, provided security concerns are taken care of, the ECB official said going home would help the cricketers, who were pretty disturbed by the terror strikes in Mumbai.
"To get back to a home environment will be a good thing. It's been an awful tragedy that this has happened in Mumbai and the players have felt very close to it because they have been in the hotel and in the rooms and the restaurant only a couple of weeks ago and getting back home for a few days will serve them well," he said.
"This is a tragic event and the players feel desperately sorry for all that are caught up in the events in Mumbai. They're very disturbed by it as we all are," added the ECB official. PTI
England team arrives in Bangalore on transit-halt
Bangalore, Nov 28 (PTI) Following the cancellation of the last two one-dayers, the England cricket team arrived here this afternoon from Bhubaneshwar on a transit halt to London.
The team were taken to the Grand Ashok Hotel under tight security escort.
According to sources in the Karnataka State Cricket Association, the team is expected to leave for London early tomorrow.
Meanwhile, the England High Performance squad, led by former England captain Michael Vaughan, left the country today.
The 17-member squad were scheduled to play a three-day match against Karnataka starting tomorrow, but also chose to return home in view of the volatile situation in Mumbai.
The team, which had arrived here on November 22, had undergone skill and fitness programmes. They had been asked to return by ECB and UK Foreign Office in view of the terror strikes in Mumbai. PTI
Chennai to host second Test against Englad instead of Mumbai
New Delhi, Nov 28 (PTI) In a bid to salvage the Test series against England, the BCCI today chose Chennai as the venue for the second Test as it promptly responded to England and Wales Cricket Board's request to shift the match from terror-hit Mumbai.
Even as the England cricket team prepared to leave the country after the remainder of the one-day series was called off following the terror attacks in Mumbai, the BCCI acted swiftly by changing the venue and maintaining that the Test series will go ahead as per schedule.
After day-long discussions with top BCCI officials yesterday, the ECB representatives had given an assurance to the BCCI to return to India and play the two-match Test series starting on December 11 provided the second match was shifted to a venue in South India.
"India's Test series against England will be played as per schedule. Chennai will host the second Test from December 19 to 23, instead of Mumbai," BCCI Secretary N Srinivasan said in a statement.
"The first Test will be played at Ahmedabad from December 11 to 15 as originally scheduled. Baroda will host the three-day game between the visitors and the Board President's XI from December 5 to 7 as scheduled," it said.
England will return home from Bangalore later tonight after abandoning the Guwahati and New Delhi one-dayers in the wake of the Mumbai terror strikes which also forced the postponement of the USD 6 millions Champions League Twenty20 event. PTI
Sensex gains 66 pts as markets show resilience
Mumbai, Nov 28 (PTI) Indian bourses today virtually set aside the shock of a violent terror strike on the country's commercial capital, with the markets showing greater resilience as the benchmark 30-share index today gained 66 points amid a 7.6 per cent GDP growth in the second quarter.
The market, however, witnessed choppy trade on account of the day being the last one of derivatives series. The expiry in the Futures and Options was postponed by a day as the markets remained closed yesterday following the terrorist attacks on Wednesday night.
The Bombay Stock Exchange barometer settled the day at 9,092.72, a net rise of 66.00 points or 0.73 per cent from its previous close.
Resuming sharply lower at 8,889.18, the Sensex later moved erratically in a 268-point range, as the activity was mostly confined to squaring off by investors.
The broader 50-share Nifty of the National Stock Exchange ended at 2,755.10, marginally higher from its last close of 2,752.25.
Brokers said encouraging global cues as well as news that Indian economy notched a reasonable growth rate of 7.6 per cent in the second quarter of the current fiscal aided the market sentiment.
Barring the Shanghai Composite, which closed 2.44 per cent lower, other Asian indices were stronger by about 1.0 to 4.0 per cent. Taiwan market, however, ended flat.
They said markets seem still optimistic about a probable rate cut by the Reserve Bank, which had earlier taken steps to infuse sufficient liquidity in the banking system to tide over any adverse impact of the global financial crisis. PTI
Bourses on course despite terror attack, Sensex up 66 points
Mumbai, Nov 28 (PTI) Shrugging off the worst-ever terror attack on the financial capital, the Bombay Stock Exchange benchmark Sensex today closed 66 points higher, as funds continued to support amid short-covering on expiry of November month in the derivatives sector.
The Sensex, which resumed trading after a day's closure following terrorist attacks on luxurious city hotels, remained range-bound before ending with a gain of 66 points at 9,092.72. The key index moved between 9,157.62 and 8,889.18 during the day on alternate bouts of trading.
The index opened down by 137 points, but recovered within minutes of trading. Among the 30 index-participants, 16 advanced and 14 stocks declined.
The wide-based National Stock Exchange index Nifty also rose by 2.85 points at 2,755.10, after moving between 2,779.00 and 2,690.30 points.
Major support to the market came from the information technology sector index, which gained 3.67 per cent at 2,558.94, as segment majors Infosys Technologies and Tata Consultancy Services rose smartly. Infosys rose by 4.49 per cent at Rs 1,240.60 and TCS by 5.89 per cent at Rs 558.05 on aggressive buying by funds. PTI
Gold flat at Rs 13,100 per 10 grams; silver gains Rs 200
New Delhi, Nov 28 (PTI) Gold traded flat for the second successive day today at Rs 13,100 per 10 grams in the bullion market here in a restricted trade.
However, silver rose by Rs 200 to Rs 17,350 per kg in the national capital today on emergence of buying by industrial units and silver coins manufacturers.
Marketmen said increased buying by stockists and jewellery makers to meet the ongoing marriage season demand mainly pushed up silver prices.
They said the yellow metal remained unaltered in the absence of any worthwhile supporting news.
Silver ready shot up by Rs 200 to Rs 17,350 per kg and weekly-based delivery by Rs 50 to Rs 17,170 per kg. Silver coins, however, remained flat at Rs 26,700 for buying and Rs 26,800 for selling of 100 pieces.
Standard gold and ornaments continued to be around previous levels of Rs 13,100 and Rs 12,950 per 10 gram, respectively in scattered deals. Sovereign also held steady at Rs 10,550 per piece of eight gram. PTI
Economy grows by 7.6 pc in Q2, may slow in coming months
New Delhi, Nov 28 (PTI) Powered by construction and services, the Indian economy notched a reasonable growth rate of 7.6 per cent in the second quarter of the current fiscal, but analysts said monetary supply should be further eased to prevent the growth from declining in the remaining quarters.
Though quarterly GDP growth was the lowest since the last quarter of 2004, it was better than expected by many analysts, despite poor growth in manufacturing, agriculture and mining.
The Prime Minister's economic panel member M Govinda Rao said, "It is better than expected, but in the second half there will be definitely a slowdown in manufacturing and services. I expect overall GDP figure to be at seven per cent this fiscal." Compared with the year-ago period, the Indian economy seemed to be slowing as the growth was 9.3 per cent in the second quarter of the previous fiscal, but it was expected to moderate as a consequence of the global financial crisis and other domestic factors.
For the first half of this fiscal, the economy expanded at 7.8 per cent, compared with the 9.3 per cent last fiscal. This is much in line with official expectations of 7-8 per cent growth for this fiscal, but quite higher than projected by many others.
Construction grew at 9.7 per cent, which is fairly good, even though it is slower than the 11.8 per cent in the corresponding period of the previous year.
All major segments in the services sector recorded high growth, though slower than in the second quarter of the fiscal 2007-08.
However, the number of air passengers has declined by 13.7 per cent and analysts expect it to further come down, also because of the impact of terror strikes in Mumbai. PTI
Shocked Amitabh, Aamir Khan blog on Mumbai terror
Mumbai, Nov 28 (PTI) The feeling of helplessness and shock in Bollywood was evident in the blogs of megastars Amitabh Bhachchan and Aamir Khan, two of the most prolific bloggers of Mumbai's film industry.
The actors, in their effort to reach out to the public in the hour of crisis, described their numbness at the events that unfolded in their beloved city.
"My pain has been the sight and plight of my innocent and vulnerable and completely insecure countrymen, facing the wrath of this terror attack. And my anger has been at the ineptitude of the authorities that have been ordained to look after us," says Big B in his new blog post.
Similarly, Aamir says he feels, "Shocked, heartbroken, helpless and angry" and writes he felt sick while watching the TV images of a terrorised Mumbai.
"I have been watching television since yesterday and to see various locations in Mumbai turned into a war zone is shocking and heartbreaking to say the least," he wrote.
""My heartfelt condolences to families of persons killed and taken hostage. I was feeling sick inthe stomach when the fire broke out at the Taj," he added.
Superstar Amitabh Bachchan confessed that he has been living in a constant fear since the attacks.
"Last night, as the events of the terror attack unfolded in front of me I did something for the first time and one that I had hoped never ever to be in a situation to do. Before retiring for the night, I pulled out my licensed .32 revolver, loaded it and put it under my pillow. For a very disturbed sleep," he wrote on his blog.
Both stars expressed their solidarity with the slain police officers and offered their condolences. PTI
Film industry in shock over Mumbai terror strikes
Mumbai, Nov 27 (PTI) The Indian film industry today expressed a deep shock over the nightmare that unfolded on Wednesday night as terrorists targeted various important locations in the Bollywood capital of Mumbai.
The industry people also appealed for sanity and called for unity after one of the biggest terrorist strikes rattled the country's financial and dream city.
"Terrible! terrible situation!," a shaken Amitabh Bachchan wrote in his blog.
"Mumbai under terrorist attack!! Several locations bombed and terrorist firing all over the city. Major hotels under siege. Taj hotel battle going on inside the hotel," says Bachachan, whose post reads like a doomsday account.
In one of the most audacious terror attacks in Indian history, at least 100 people have been killed and nearly 300 injured.
Two five star hotels, hospitals and the city's CST Railway station were among the key targets of the terrorists, who entered the city through boats at Gateway of India, just opposite the heritage Taj hotel.
"I am scared! shocked! I don't have words to describe my feelings. It seems unreal to me almost like a film. I don't know who are they and why they have resorted to such ruthlessness," film director Anurag Kashyap, who is in Goa to attend the IFFI told PTI over phone.
"They just enter the city like that and hold it hostage. It is unbelievable. Obviously Mumbai will bounce back but it has been hurt badly and it will take time to heal," says Kashyap, who has directed films like 'Black Friday' based on the 1993 terror strike and the ensuing riots. PTI
Naomi Campbell sparks engagement rumours
London, Nov 27 (PTI) Supermodel Naomi Campbell has sparked engagement rumours by sporting a huge diamond on her finger.
The 38-year-old supermodel wore the emerald and diamond rock while stepping out with her Russian billionaire boyfriend Vladimir Doronin, the Sun reported.
Naomi, who met the tycoon in May, is rumoured to have bought a wedding dress while her property developer boyfriend was said to be "showing her off" to friends.
"She was very pointedly looking at her ring admiring it," an onlooker said. PTI
Mumbai terror - live action unfolds on blogs, sms
Annie Samson
New Delhi, Nov 28 (PTI) As the terror drama unfolded in the country's financial capital Mumbai, social networkers and bloggers rapidly posted pictures of the ongoing events and sent sms-es over phone to whet the growing hunger for information and reports of live unedited action.
Vinukumar Raganathan, who lives close to the Nariman House in Mumbai posted pictures of the airdropping of the NSG commandos on his blog.
"It was early morning when I heard loud sounds so I just just grabbed my camera and took my bike out to the place. The place is a densely populated residential area and there were probably only 10 cops or so."
"I was standing in a petrol bunk close by and saw the commandos being airdropped and the copters landing on the makeshift helipad. The focus of the action was on the two hotels and not many people were around the Nariman House."
Nariman House is one of the three places where terrorists were holed up. The other two being the luxury hotels -the Taj and the Trident-Oberoi.
Others like Vikas Goyal used the opportunity to send out sms which read, "Enough is enough. The terrorists have not only attacked Mumbai but our national pride." Comments ranged from discussions on the perpetrators to answering queries on the helplines and persons that relatives and friends can contact to get more details.
An sms paid tribute to the slain Mumbai police officers. "Thousand salutes to Mr Hemant Karkara, Mr Vijay Salaskar and Mr Ashok Kamte. Please pay homage to our great warriors. Send this to all Indians," it said.
Another one circulating questioned the whereabouts of those behind the recent anti-north Indian and Bihari agitations in Mumbai. "Your Mumbai needs you for fighting against the 'Real outsiders,'" it read. PTI
Poll takes a backseat, fear grips national capital
New Delhi, Nov 27 (PTI) After a night of terror in Mumbai where terrorists targeted ten places gunning down over 100 people, Delhi woke up with terrifying memories of the recent blasts in the capital, the heat generated by the polls giving way to fear and caution.
With newspaper headlines screaming with news of the attacks and television channels showing minute by minute coverage of the encounter between terrorists and security personnel along with live footage, people began calling up friends and relatives based in the financial capital.
"Please now stop all the regional and religion differences. I am not concerned about which party wins. But will they be able to give us security? These politicians make such a lot of hue and cry if their 'Z' security cordon is withdrawn. Where is the security to the common man?" asks Ramsh Lal, a retired government official.
Till yesterday, the talk on the street centered around the upcoming elections. The moods debating and comparing various candidates today changed to sombre with almost everybody talking about the Mumbai attack.
"We are very sure that despite attacks like this the situation is not going to change with all the political parties blaming each other for the security lapses. We need a man with iron face to improve situations," says Rajesh Kumar, a private bank employee while traveling in the city's metro train. PTI
Security in hospitality sector needs to be upgraded: Experts
New Delhi, Nov 27 (PTI) A guest, in the hospitality industry, is treated like God, seldom subjected to frisking or scanning of luggage. This leaves hotels open to attacks like the ones in Mumbai, say experts.
A sector, known to be the most delicate and service-offering, hotels are increasingly become soft targets due to their diverse clientele.
The security experts have sought an upgradation of security measures in the elite hotel industry on par with other international 'check-in' venues.
"Like airports, where a tourist has to undergo checks through X-ray scanners and other surveillance methods, the hotel industry needs to implement all these hi-tech techniques to avoid future attacks," says Retired Brigadier Virendra Kumar.
Today's terror attacks in two luxury hotels - The Taj and the Trident (formerly the Oberoi) apart from other places like bus stations and hospitals left over 100 dead and more than 300 injured.
Kumar, who had served as a security expert with the Indian Army described the attacks as extremely shocking and bold and said it called for a shake up of the entire intelligence setup.
"In hotels, nobody cares about the visitors. A proper security system should be implemented as such these places are frequently visited by foreign tourists." PTI
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Sensex: 9092.72, +66.00
The sensex closed at 9092.72, up 66.00
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