40 bodies recovered from the Taj

Security forces recovered 40 bodies in the first four floors of the six-storeyed Taj Hotel. National Security Guard sources add that four fidayeen (suicide bombers) have been killed in the assault.

National Security Guard commandos and personnel of the Mumbai Police are carrying out systematical floor-to-floor cleaning up operations. Most of the hotel has been sanitised by now.

The terrorists had burst into lobby of the hotel last night from four places with all guns blazing. They first shot at three female receptionists manning the front desk. They then went into the hotel.

NSG sources said the fidayeen made an attempt to escape last night, but retreated when they saw the NSG approaching. The threw grenades at the commandos.

Director General of Police A N Roy said 15 police personnel, including officers, have been killed in the operations. Twenty five police personnel have been injured.

R K Krishna Kumar, vice chairman, Indian Hotels, which owns the under-attack Hotel Taj in South Mumbai, told a television channel said it is tough to say when the operation would get over.

Kumar said they have not been able to able to determine exact casualty figures but said it could be in the region of 50–60 people, adding that the army now has control of the hotel. "The first attack took place on the heritage wing of the hotel and then on the tower block," he said. Kumar added that the family of the hotel's senior management was caught in the fire, and some of the hotel's staff including five chefs had lost their lives.