New Delhi - Police told local media that a group of terrorists reached the Mumbai shores near the Gateway of India on an inflatable raft on the night of Wednesday, November 26. 9:15 pm: Terrorists begin targeting high-profile landmarks popular with Western tourists, close to the sea. A group of five terrorists first opened fire at the popular Leopold cafe.
9:20 pm: Two other terrorists hurl a grenade at a petrol pump. They later run into Nariman House, a Jewish residential building and kill two people there.
9:24 pm:Another attack at the Chattrapati Shivaji Railway station where two gunmen stormed in. They hurled hand grenades and sprayed bullets at the crowds outside and inside the station.
9:30 pm: Attack at Taj Hotel begins, terrorists enter hotel, open fire and hurl grenades at people. Many people still trapped inside the hotel as terrorists believed to be holed up inside.
9:35 pm: Trident Hotel also comes under attack as terrorists storm hotel. Bodies taken out as scared hotel staff run for cover. Between 30 to 40 people held captive.
9:55 pm: A high-intensity blast is reported in a taxi in Vile Parle area.
10:15 pm: Terrorists come outside the Cama Hospital in a hijacked car, fire randomly, both inside and outside the hospital.
10:30 pm to 10:45 pm:Gunfire outside Metro cinema and blast in taxi in Wadi Bunder area.
10:50 pm: Terrorists trade fire with police at the Girgaum Chopatty area, two terrorists killed.
Midnight onwards:Terrorists believed to be holed up inside the Taj and Trident hotels as well as the Nariman House building. Hundreds are trapped. Local channels say 35 people including foreigners are believed to be held hostages in the Trident and at Nariman House.
1:30 am, November 27: A little-known militant outfit calling itself the Deccan Mujahideen sends an email to the media claiming responsibility for the attacks.
2 am:State Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) chief Hemant Karkare dies of gunshot wounds in encounter with terrorists. Police marksman Vijay Salaskar and policeman Ashok Kamte also killed.
2:00 to 3:00 am: The Indian army is put on standby,Maharashtra placed on red-alert. Some suspected terrorists held by the police.
4 am: Commandos from the elite National Security Guard called to rescue hostages at the hotels. Rescue operations begin at 4:30 am, some guests are freed.
5:20 am: Police said four terrorists are killed in separate incidents overnight including two in a gunbattle at Taj. Witnesses say gunmen at Taj and Oberoi hotels were shouting, "Who has British or American passports?" Fire blazes on in the old wing of the Taj Hotel after blasts in the hotel, black clouds of smoke rise from the main dome of the historic hotel.
7:30 am: Fresh firing in Taj hotel as commandos move in to flush out terrorists holding hostages. Local media report that between three to five terrorists could be at the hotel.
9:00 to 9:30 am: Gun battle between terrorists and NSG commandos at the Taj and Trident hotels. Death toll after 12 hours of terrorist rampage climbs to 101, 301 injured.
12 noon: State Home Minister RR Patil says one terrorist captured from Trident and being questioned. Over 200 people rescued from the Taj. Top police official AN Roy says " no hostage-like situation"in Taj but many are inside their rooms. Authorities unclear whether terrorists present inside the hotel.
4:40 pm:Prime Minister Manmohan Singh says the attackers were based outside the country and intended to create havoc in the city. Appeals to Indians to maintain peace and harmony.
5:30 to 7:30 pm:Fresh explosions and gunshots heard at Taj Hotel. Explosions also heard in the Trident. 200 are trapped inside, 25 people rescued. Troops engaged in encounter with terrorists.
