FROM MUMBAI - DIRECT

Posted at 9:11 a.m. ET

We now have, just in from Mumbai, a letter from Renee Nielsen, a terrific woman who is president of Republicans Abroad in India.  Urgent Agenda thanks reader Hunter Schultz, in Panama, who made possible this link with Renee.  She writes:

Well, things are still tense here as the hostage situation has not been resolved. There are many news agencies here reporting in both English and Hindi on top of CNN Int'l and BBC World so lots of confusion on truth.

What we do know is that as of now, 6 foreigners reported killed with 5 identified.  Earlier it was said 2 of the dead were US Intel officers.  The British High Commissioner has arrived from Delhi and said that 7 Brit nationals were in hospital from wounds, but no idea how many were/are involved whether killed or hostage or hiding/trapped in the hotels.

The terrorists came in directly from Pakistan and entered Mumbai via small boat down by the Gateway of India (across from the Taj).  The Indian navy and air forces are now searching for the mother ship which they did have named earlier.

The army has taken over from the police with the navy commandos in the lead at the hotels.  The news (Times Now) reporting they are preparing for last assault, but you can see lights coming on in Trident Oberoi hotel that were on before and curtains being opened. I would think this is a sign of a cleared room, but who knows.  Also, lots of reports of explosions but could be used to open doors as not necessarily being followed up by shots.  The terrorists supposedly have grenades on them. They have captured one terrorist there named Abu Ismail from Kandirot, Pakistan.

Another fire has started at the Taj hotel on the opposite side from last night and on the 4th floor.  The Taj group has vowed already to rebuild good as new, but this is a 100 year old landmark hotel.  

The English cricket team has canceled some test match.  Why is that important?  Because cricket is HUGE here (national sport) and is a major force in the economy.  Aussie and Brit cricketers already don't want to go to Pakistan and the Indian cricket league officials fear the same will happen to India.  Big loss of revenue.

The Taj has conflicting reports of hostages still trapped - or - regular guests.

It is now been confirmed that US and British citizens were targeted. Too many witnesses have confirmed that.

101 dead and 300 injured. The dead include the top including 3 very senior/top people--one being the head of the ATS (Anti-terror squad).

Things are changing minute by minute, but since the army/cops have been clearing hotel rooms all day, would expect this to get resolved by tonight sometime.  The sun has now set and it's getting dark.

It is 6:10pm.  We are 11.5hrs ahead of CTD.

We've been home all day.  There were reports the terrorists had stolen police vehicles (we could see that on the tv) and were shooting out the windows indiscriminately.  Nothing like that has been reported for at least 10 hours.  The Taj Lands End in Bandra (where we live) is just 1.5miles from here.  I would bet it's like a fortress now.  It's not just tourists that use the hotels here.  Expats frequent them on an everyday basis because the restaurants are great (and clean/safe to eat in).  You will also expect to see lots of businessmen/women and very wealthy tourists.  These are 5 star hotels.  The terrorists apparently opened fire in the lobbies.  My son has a classmate (5 yrs old) who is hosting her birthday party at the Taj Land's End on Saturday and my husband has a haircut appointment there.  What may seem odd to Americans to use these hotels for regular stomping grounds is normal for the huge expat community here.

Let me know if you want me to write more.  The Indian media is hysterical at times, kinda like how Geraldo and Shep Smith acted during Hurricane Katrina, so it's hard to filter some of the sensationalism out.  In fact, one channel (Headline News) is saying that the killed police have been "martyred."  That's a strong word.  India and Pakistan right now are sharing the best relations they've had in 40 years.  This is not a govt vs govt action, but of course there will be consequences.  I'll do my best to get the truth versus rumor.

Apologies for grammar errors.  Happy Thanksgiving.  We'll never forget this one.

Sincerely,

Renee Nielsen
Chairman
Republicans Abroad India

We have asked Renee to supply more information as it becomes available.  As you can see from her letter, private sources often provide little tidbits that we don't get from regular news reporting.

Stand by.      

November 27, 2008.