Mumbai’s two plush hotels turn into virtual battle ground

After a night of horror, two of the country's plushiest hotels -- Taj and The Trident – and nearby Nariman House turned into a virtual battleground as heavily-armed soldiers and elite commandoes moved in to flush out the militants and rescue the hostages.

After a night of horror, two of the country’s plushiest hotels — Taj and The Trident – and nearby Nariman House turned into a virtual battleground as heavily-armed soldiers and elite commandoes moved in to flush out the militants and rescue the hostages.

Snipers took positions keeping a hawk eye for any movement by the terrorists while NSG commandos in bullet-proof jackets were seen sitting in a huddle trying to work out a plan as senior Army and police officers descended on the scene.

Siren wailing fire tenders and police vans carrying reinforcements were seen rushing to the Taj Hotel amid firing and grenade blasts.

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Personnel escorted the guests at the Taj Mahal hotel and other two sites to the parked BEST buses which took them to safe destinations. Among them were a child of foreign nationality and an Indian maid seen coming out of Nariman House in South Mumbai.

Two bodies were brought out from Taj Hotel and taken away in an ambulance.

All the major roads in south Mumbai, where the explosions and firings are taking place since Wednesday night have been sealed with police placing barricades and parking their official vehicles on the roads to block the way.

Raging fire and plumes of black smoke were seen billowing from the central dome of the century-old heritage Taj hotel and later from its new building opposite the Gateway of India as firemen struggled to douse the blaze.

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At the Nariman House, there was heavy exchange of fire between security forces and the holed up ultras.

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