Mumbai Terror: Operations in final stages, says GoC

The operations against the siege of Mumbai appeared to be nearing last stages with the evacuation of 35 hostages from Oberoi hotel but fierce battle was on to eliminate a small band ultras holed up in a Jewish building complex.

"It is just a matter of a few hours before we will be able to wrap up things," Southern Command Chief Lt Gen Noble Thamburaj told reporters a little before noon outside Taj hotel as 35 hostages, including foreigners and a six-month old infant, were successfully rescued from Oberoi-Trident.

The new building of Taj hotel has been totally flushed out and cleared and handed over to police, he said adding that one terrrorist, possibly two, had moved into the adjacent old heritage building.

"We have heard the sound of a woman and a man, giving indications that they are being held hostage," Thamburaj said but added that almost all guests and staff in the hotel have been evacuated.

He conceded that the there were some casualties among the NSG commandos but would not disclose their numbers and whether they were fatal or otherwise saying that operational details would affect the "mental makeup" of terrorists.

Thamburaj said that operations had to be "deliberate and slow" to ensure the safety of the hostages, guests and hotel staff. The commandos had been told not to rush things under the "pressure of media or citizens".

He said some rooms in Taj are still bolted from inside and people inside are not responding, probably they are scared. "As soon as communication and room services are restored, we will inform them about the situation and ask them to come out".

The Army Commander said operations against the militants have been slowed down as security forces did not want to suffer further casualties.

Asked about the number of casualties, Lt General Thamburaj said "I am not in a position to say whether casualties are fatal or non-fatal. Leaking out of this kind of information may affect their mental make-up".

Referring to the operation at Taj hotel, the Army officer said there was a possibility of terrorists holding two or more hostages with them in the luxury establishment.

"This morning while carrying out the operation, we heard the sound of a lady and a gentleman. So it is possible that terrorists could be holding two or more hostages with them. It could be possible that more than one terrorist is there," he said.

Lt General Thamburaj said several guests had locked themselves up inside the rooms. "It is possible that hotel guests have locked themselves up inside their rooms for their own security and safety."

Even though the security forces have identified themselves, the guests seemed to have maintained a low profile and kept their rooms shut, he said.