NSG: some digital pictures smuggled out come in handy

However, the Akshardham has kept records, drawings, layouts and maps of the main monument, built without using steel and according to the ancient Sthapatya Shastras.

Soon after the commandos arrived, the security agencies made a call to the one working telephone inside the temple complex. The call was taken by a terrified volunteer. When asked whether they could get a map of the temple, he replied ‘‘Model chhe’’ (there’s a model).

Priests stuck inside the complex then directed the commandos to the ground-floor reception hall, where the giant model is kept.

They had other help, too. Some Swaminarayan followers inside the temple used digital cameras to take pictures of parts of the temple and sent the cartridges from a safe entry point to security forces outside.

Security personnel were also making inquiries from rescued people about where the terrorists could be hiding and about the layout of the different floors.

However, tragedy struck pretty early on. As the commandoes were walking around the complex, Swami Parmeshwardasji, who was explaining thelayout, was hit in the chest by a bullet fired by the terrorists from above. He later died at the Gandhinagar Civil Hospital.