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
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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
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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
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(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
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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.
Arun Shanbhag 
Arun Ji,
I saw this write up just yesterday, those three days were the most horrendous times. I couldn’t help myself from crying all the time.
The attacks were so hideous. I am genuinely speechless about it. Me and my husband were glued to the TV all the time.
One of the three officers( Late.Mr.Ashok Kamte)was the former police chief of Kolhapur,MH (my hometown).I have seen him in person. One of my classmates provided him Physical Therapy for shoulder pain in his Gym. He always told us how he was in awe of his charismatic persona.
I can recall to this day, during the Ganesh Visarjan ceremony how a glance on his part was copious enough to pacify the raucous crowd of youngsters.
When I learnt about his death I mourned as if for a close relative, so ghastly was the impact of the attack !
The pictures in your post made me grieve even more.
Though Mumbai has stood up again and may be back to habitual routine. The catastrophic bereavement of those wretched families will always haunt them. Their loved ones have departed them for life.
Will this ever end ? I think no one has an answer to it.
Manasi
Seattle,WA
Sorry for the long delay in replying to your comment – just missed it for so long.
And so sad to hear that you knew Mr Kamte. Hope our people and country have learn’t the lessons from the valiant sacrifices of these brave souls.
Best Wishes to you.
Arun