Mumbai: The operation to apprehend the terrorists and rescue those still trapped inside three locations in Mumbai - Taj Hotel, Oberoi Hotel and Nariman House - is reaching its final stages.
The major battle zone is Nariman House where a team of National Security Guard commandos have been air-dropped as an Army team also zeroed in on the building in which at least three terrorists are holed up.
All lines of communication and power to Nariman House have been cut off.
Before commandos entered Nariman House for the final assault, two explosions at about 0430 hrs IST within a span of 10 to 15 minutes slowed down their operation. A third explosion was heard at 0447 hrs IST.
Helplines: Taj Hotel (Mumbai, India)- 91- 22-66574322, 66574372, 1800 111 825; Oberai (New Delhi, India)- 91-11-23890606; Ministry of External Affairs (New Delhi, India)- 91-11-23015300, 23012113, 23013537. MEA Fax No (new Delhi, India): 91-11-23018158.
"The operation to clean up the Nariman House is still going on," Director General of National Security Guard (NSG) Jyoti Krishan Dutt said just before choppers airdropped the commandos. "It is just a matter of time and it will end soon", he said.
Dutt said the operations at Taj were by and large over with just one injured terrorist still holed-up in the building. "He has been injured and I think we will be able to mop up the operation there very quickly," he said.
The forces continued to engage the two remaining terrorists in Oberoi, where no gun shots or explosions were heard since late Thursday night as the security forces launched room-to-room searches.
Two terrorists are reportedly cornered at the first floor of the hotel. One of the terrorist was killed on Thursday night.
National Security Guard has confirmed there is just one injured terrorist left in the Taj. Rescue operations have been successful but some people could still be trapped inside.
Mumbai Police arrested a man named Ismail on Thursday, believed to be a Lashkar-e-Toiba operative, in connection with the attacks.
At least 20 heavily-armed terrorists are believed to have been involved in the attack.
Terror experts say while the decision to send in NSG commandos was delayed and poorly handled, initial confusion potentially converted the crisis into a long drawn one.
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