This Day 2 Post continues where I left off from Mumbai Blasts: Day 1
Update: between 5:30 pm and 7:00 pm; Indian Time; Friday Nov 28th
Follow my updates on Twitter http://twitter.com/arunshanbhag
Posting Pics on FLickr! username “shanbhag”
All these pics are from INSIDE the Secure Staging Cordon in front of the Taj; assembled here were fire engines, ambulances, Police forces, some of the Rapid Reaction Forces and some commandos; And ALL media types!
Scores of reporters looking at the Taj within the staging cordon in front of the Taj Intercontinental; Gateway of India in the back!
Every time we heard a blast or gunfire, everyone looked at the Taj to try and figure out where it came from.
Scarred Beauty! Really! The Taj Still stands Tall!
A person holding a sign supporting the troops. Nice!
Sorry, some pics are blurry; it was getting dark and police asked me not to use a flash inside the cordon. Apparently the flash may be mistaken for gunfire by commandos or terrorists.
Some of the commandos on the ready!
Forces in Flak jackets in front of the Main Entrance of Taj IC; Taj IC was the forward Staging area! I think these guys were ATS guys! Sorry for blurrypics; no flash!
BBC International TV Crew which interviewed me. 
)
Update: ~ 2:00 pm; Indian Time; Friday Nov 28th
This series of pics is from SB Road, aka Colaba Causeway! COnnecting Regal Cinema on the North to the Street leading to the Nariman Bldg. This street is the main busy street and runs parallel to the Taj Mahal also. Thus all access road leading to Taj cross SB Road. Thus Police have a strong interest to control traffic on this Rd. Also, Leopold Cafe, where the terrorist started the shooting is on this road. So is our house! Pics are from around 2 pm this afternoon.
Armed personnel patrolling SB Road
Crowd gathered and peering down Nowroji Street leading to the Taj. Police have barricaded the st, so folks are gathered on SB road and are likely looking towards the Taj
Remember I said earlier, something is going on? An ambulance raced from Police Station (you don’t need to know where exactly) South on SB Rd towards Nariman Bldg
Followed by two trucks of Rapid Action Force personnel.
See the two trucks staging right after the Cusrow Baug main entrance. This is still a few blocks before the Nariman Bldg. Prolly setting up a Barrier cordon. They are now OFF SB Rd and I feel comfortable sharing these time delayed images!
Followed by a truck with Army personnel!
Just before this, Police had taken aggressive action to put a “nakabandi” in place on SB Road and within a few minutes all traffic on SB Rd was halted; See how the entire Rd is now deserted. For bearings. This is looking North and at the end of the Rd is the Rotary leading to the museum ahead and Regal Cinema on the Right.
Update: ~ 9:00 am; Indian Time; Friday Nov 28th
Follow my updates on Twitter http://twitter.com/arunshanbhag
Posting Pics on FLickr! username “shanbhag”
Tight crop of Commandos on Nariman Bldg
Helicopters are buzzing straight overhead our building as they circle Nariman Bldg!
Closeup of burnt dome of Taj from this morning
Update: ~ 7:45 – 8:00 am; Indian Time; Friday Nov 28th
Follow my updates on Twitter http://twitter.com/arunshanbhag
Posting Pics on FLickr! username “shanbhag”
(Right click and download images for larger sizes ~ 6 inch wide)
Commando Insertion on top of Nariman Building. Pics taken from my terrace; For bearings. This is Due South of our Building; Taj is Nearly East.
Nariman Bldg IS Orthodox Jewish group Chabad Lubavitch; Or Chabbad House!
It is about a third of a mile from our home!
Helicopter approaching Nariman Bldg
Wide view to show densely built up area! You can see a commando rappelling down
These images cropped to show commandos rappelling down!
One more!
More! You can see other commandos on terrace – peer closely!
Helicopter leaving; Guide line trailing as it was winched up!
Update: ~ 6:45 – 7:00 am:Indian Time; Friday Nov 28th
Follow my updates on Twitter http://twitter.com/arunshanbhag
Posting all pics on FLickr! username “shanbhag”
Was tossing and turning since 5 this morning; Sky was still dark. Finally got up, and checked Online; Walked up to the Terrace to see the TAJ! IT IS STILL THERE! ~ 6:45 am
The dome which was burning last night is nearly all gone! The base of the dome still appears to be aflame! Little smoke;
A wider angle view taking in the Taj-Intercontinental!
You can see the missing dome in yesterdays pics of the Taj! (reverse chronological)
Dudhwallah (milkman) measures out milk. Papa asks to take extra milk (2 L) as we don’t know if we need to stock up for the next day. Dudhwallah is happier coz all businesses are still closed and thus there is less demand for milk.
Marathoner, Professor, Author, Citizen Journalist, Fitness Nut, Foodie, Meera's father, Hindu, Scientist, Photographer.
Thank you for keeping us informed. Please be careful, and remember you and your country are in our prayers. God Bless.
Helen
Arun, Once the dust settles down (literally and figuratively speaking), can I please ask you to write a guest post for me based on your experience over these past few days?
Thanks.
Jai Hind, Jai Bharat!
Shantanu @ http://satyameva-jayate.org/
Thanks for sharing these valuable information.
I appreciate your time.
I live in London and I am deeply sad since last two nights. Watching this news and media. Praying for all the good.
Still proude of our Police force, Army, Commando and security force. They are fighting terrirism with very low safety precautions when we compare it with western counrties.
Hats of to them.. Hopefully will less casualty, This will over and Mumbai once again will on move with its bollywood bits around the world!..
Great Job Arun, just heard you on CNN few minutes ago.
what you have done is an excellent job. Space opposite Oberoi Trident hotel The place where I felt at peace is no longer the same. I hope things come back to normal soon and we are ready for the future with more strength next time.
Its extremely sad to see how Mumbai went in unsafe hands owing to corrupt politicians, corrupt judiciary, corrupt bureaucrats who are busy filling their pockets. Its sad to see young brave hearts of Indian soil have to lay down their lives while politicians live under Z security hiding in their safe hideouts. Those who cannot respect human life are not human beings.
I have been glued to the tv coverage since thurday morning. I live in Singapore. But since I heard about your blog on cnn, Ive stopped watching the live coverage which just kept repeating itself.
You are doing a better job. Please do continue and keep us updated. Your photos are really amazing , and they really touched me.
Am hoping to see more pics of Mumbai recovering from this horrible uncalled episode. Do take care of yourself and god bless.
Hello Arun,
Can you please send me your email address to *edited* as I would like to have a very quick chat with you.
Kind regards
Siobhan Courtney
Interactive Reporter
BBC News
thank god for the indian armed forces that are keeping us safe. its at times like this that we realise how vital they are in a country like india – the flushing out of tererorists cd not have happened without them.
Hi Arun,
Just heard you on CNN. Though they had mispelled your name I was sure it was you! Was not aware that you were in Mumbai.Please do stay safe. My heart goes out to all the Innocent people who have lost their lives. Such an unfortunate incident. Hope your family and friend’s are safe. Please do take care. Feeling bad to see the state of Mumbai at the moment. Hope all calms down soon. Thanks for the updates!
Stay safe
When US stunned by such attacks, what steps they took is in front of world. since world wars to WTC attacks. Just finish it off once attacking the neighbour country, who’s providing food to such activities.
Why to maintain such millitants (simi activists,mujahiddins) once grabbed? why not killed…….? why to let happen one more ‘Kandhar Hijack’ or ‘Civil wars at Delhi/Mumbai’ ???
If millitants are not showing any remorse then why we ? Kill them !!
Instead wasting such valuable commanders & chiefs, Let’s finish it off once.
Above all, our Congress government is not going to do anything. Still their statement is “Don’t Panic”. Only one thing they can do best “FIlling pockets”
First step towards all this is ‘Change the government”
Lets Collectively fight against this…….!!
Arun, I heard your report on CNN. I didn’t know you are in Mumbai, I just thought it’s probably you but now I know it’s you. Thanksgiving was not good for us here at all, couldn’t eat or feel joy. My heart goes out to people there.
As of this morning, they are still trying to secure Taj. First day,CNN didn’t report it much and then they caught on the next day. I had been watching BBCA.
Be safe. Thanks for this post.
What is going on at Jewish Center? Is there still fighting there? Is there an Indian news outlet that has more up to date info?
I couldn’t sleep properly and was hoping to get good news from mumbai
thanks for the updates Arun. But plz be safe.
Hi Mr. Shanbhag,
I am glad to find your blog. I heard you on CNN and they had misspelled your name but I was still able to google you. I am grateful for all the updates given on your blog. I don’t have anyone stuck in Mumbai but I still feel the need to know that all those who are stuck and held up by these criminals will come out of it unharmed. My prayers are with them. It aches my heart to see so many hurt and not being able to do a thing about it hurts.
Can someone please inform media to keep away and don’t show of Live firing , if NSG is trying to get position of terrorist by firing but media doesn’t understand instead of that they are giving position of our commanders/army people by showing them and zooming them….
All I can say is please stay safe…and take care.
DM NSG in Nariman chopper monitoring (IBN live ticker) (1415 hrs AEST)
Good work…U make more sence than a lot of the Twits on #mumbai
…and even some IBN loops!
I am looking into the news but don’t know how to reach media… already indian commanders have inform not to broadcast each and everything, especially Army/commander man positions where they are standing and how they are moving inside to attack. Currently in Nariman attack, media is exposing and leaking all the positions of commanders and army man… you never know indirectly the information is going to terrorist and operation can be interrupted or can be a reverse attack. So Please inform media not to leak any on-going activities of NSG. Media is NDTV, especially IBN7 , CNN IBN and others too….calling media also doesn’t work coz they are still leaking movements and positions….also let police do there work and take interviews after operations are done… so please media don’t spoil the operation if you want to help , help families to find and link to their missing ones…
I believe you stated your Flickr user name incorrectly above — found the photos at user name “shanbhag” not “arunshanbhag.” Thanks for posting. Stay safe. I am praying for peace of Mumbai.
I am an American of Indan origin. Thanks for posting these pictures. Our hearts and prayers are with you all. We are a great country and a great civilization and we will come out of this allright. The terrorists and everything they stand for will not succeed. We are a free people and we love our freedom. We love life and they love death. We will win!