Mumbai Terrorist Attacks

- Attacks began: Wednesday, November 26, 2008
- First attack: Cafe Leopold, 9:30 pm
- Attacks ended: Saturday, November 29, 2008
- Mumbai formerly known as Bombay
- 179 killed, over 300 injuries reportedCNN: Source: U.S. warned India about possible Mumbai attack (December 2, 2008)
- Gunmen hijacked cars and police vehiclesCNN: Mumbai: PM Blames 'Outsiders' as Hotel Battles Rage (November 27, 2008)
- Five hostages, including Brooklyn, New York's Rabbi Gavriel Holtzberg and his wife Rivka Holtzberg, were killed at a terrorist attack on the Nariman House, the center for Mumbai's Orthodox Jewish communityCNN: Five Hostages Killed in Jewish Center, Chaos at Hotel (November 28, 2008)
- BP Petrol pump blown up in ColabaIBN Live: Video Streaming
- Nine gunmen killed in shootouts with policeCNN: Mumbai: PM Blames 'Outsiders' as Hotel Battles Rage (November 27, 2008)
- On December 3, 2008, Indian authorities found and defused several "leftover" bombs at Mumbai's main train station, one of the sites targeted by militants on the first day of the terrorist attacksFOXNews.com: Police: 'Leftover' Bombs Found, Diffused at Mumbai Train Station

Multiple sites in the Indian city of Mumbai were attacked with bombs and gunfire in a coordinated terror attack that began on November 26, 2008, and lasted for three days. The attacks killed 179 people, including at least 22 foreigners.CNN: Source: U.S. warned India about possible Mumbai attack (December 2, 2008) Over 300 injuries were reported.
On March 23, 2009, the trial began for Mohammed Ajmal Kasab, the only gunman charged in the attacks. Kasab was captured during the attacks. He appeared in court through closed circuit television rather than in person, because of security risks. Kasab did accept the government-provided lawyer, and indicated he had yet to receive any legal counsel. American FBI agents are among more than 100 people scheduled to testify in the case.FOX News: FBI Agents... to Testify at Mumbai Terror Siege Trial
Surveillance Video

On February 26, 2009, CNN released a surveillance video that appears to show gunmen shooting inside the Trident Hotel during the attacks. The video, which lasts for less than 20 seconds, has not yet been authenticated.CNN: Surveillance Footage May Show Mumbai Attackers (February 26, 2009)
The Attacks

Indian authorities believe that the attackers entered Mumbai via the waterfront near the two hotels. A fishing trawler is being held for investigation.CNN: Commandos hunt 'last gunman' (November 28, 2008)
The first attack occurred about 9:30 pm at the Cafe Leopold. As the rampage progressed, gunmen opened fire at several locations throughout the city, including a crowded train station and several luxury hotels. The terrorists were reported to be seeking victims with British or American passports.NDTV: Live Video from Mumbai New York Times: Mumbai Fighting Narrows to One Hotel (November 28, 2008)
Locations Attacked
- 1. Taj Mahal Palace and Tower
  2. Hotel Oberoi
  3. Cama Hospital
  4. Cafe Leopold
  5. Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus
  6. Nariman House
Arrests

The Pakistani government has announced that Zarrar Shah and Zaki ur-Rehman, senior members of Lashkar-e-Taiba, have confessed to being involved in the attacks.The New York Times: Pakistani Militants Admit Role in Siege, Official Says (January 1, 2009)
Suspects

A formerly unknown group, the Deccan Mujahideen, claimed responsibility for the attacks. However, some authorities believe that the Deccan Mujahadeen is a front group for another organization. The Indian government believes that a terrorist group from Pakistan, possibly affiliated with Pakistani militant groups Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed, both of which have ties to Al Qaeda, may be responsible.Wall Street Journal: FBI Sends Agents to Mumbai (November 28, 2008)
Ajmal Amir Kamal, from the Faridkot district of Pakistan's Punjab province, was arrested at the Taj Hotel, and has admitted to being part of the Lashkar-e-Taiba.Los Angeles Times: Pakistan vows to investigate groups' possible role in Mumbai attacks (December 1, 2008)
Another possibility is that former crime boss Dawood Ibrahim, the man thought to have been responsible for the 1993 serial bombings in Mumbai, carried out the 2008 attacks in retaliation for the demolition of the Babri mosque.Guardian: Mumbai terror attacks: Who could be behind them? (November 27, 2008) Economic Times: 'Dawood and ISI involved in Mumbai attack' (November 28, 2008) ID's found on the terrorists have included two British identifications and a Mauritius identity card.International Herald Tribune: Standoff in Mumbai down to one hotel (November 28, 2008)
Deaths

179 people have died in the attacks, including 22 foreigners and six Americans.
Encounter specialist cop Vijay Salaskar and Additional Commissioner of Police Ashok Kamte were killed during the siege. Hemant Karkare, head of the Indian anti-terrorist squad, also died.NDTV: Mumbai terror attack...
A Virginia man, Alan Scherr, and his 13-year-old daughter Naomi died during the Hotel Oberoi attack while attending a conference with fellow members of the Synchronicity Foundation. New York Rabbi Gavriel Holtzberg and his wife Rivka Holtzberg were killed in the Nariman House attack after their two-year-old son had escaped with their Indian nanny.
Warned in Advance

Sources have confirmed to both Fox News and CNN that India was warned by U.S. officials of a potential maritime attack on Mumbai.FOXNews.com: Government Source: U.S. Warned India Before Mumbai Attack (December 2, 2008) Security forces in India confirmed that the U.S. warned them of a possible water-borne attack on two occasions. The area of Mumbai went into a state of alert for a week and tightened security measures. The tightened security eventually relaxed according to officials in India.CNN: Source: U.S. warned India about possible Mumbai attack (December 2, 2008)
Official Pakistani Involvement?

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, in a public statement made January 6, 2009, accused several official Pakistan agencies of supporting Lashkar-e-Taiba in the planning and execution of the Mumbai terrorist attacks. Singh inferred that their was enough concrete evidence to conclude that official Pakistani agencies had lent their support to the terrorist organization. On February 12, 2009, Pakistani government officials admitted that some of the planning of the attacks occurred on Pakistan's soil. However, Interior Minister Adviser Rehman Malik also noted that several nonstate entities provided logistical support during the attack.The Hindu: Manmohan points the finger at Pakistan (January 6, 2009)CSMonitor: Pakistan admits links to Mumbai attacks... (February 12, 2009)