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NSG closing in on Jewish centre

Mumbai: After almost 12 hours of attempting to flush out at least two terrorists, who are hiding and holding hostages in Nariman House, at Colaba, the NSG has sent its troops to storm the building. More than a dozen black cat commandos entered the lane of the building.

Through the day there have been sounds of gunshots and automatic gun firing coming from the building. A grenade was also thrown

The only person to come out of Nariman House since the crisis began was a woman who ran out carrying a two-year-old child. She came out about 10.45 a.m. looking dishevelled and clearly upset. She said the child’s parents, at whose house she was a help, were lying unconscious and another person was critically injured in the apartment. Both she and the child were escorted by the police to an ambulance and taken to a police station. After her, nobody has left the building.

The child’s father is a Rabbi at the Chabad Centre, which is located in Nariman House. Rabbi Gavriel Noach Holtzberg, his wife Rivka and their son are the only permanent residents at the Chabad Centre.

The centre, set up by Chabad Lubavitch, a conservative stream of religious jews, serves as a place to celebrate Jewish festivals and attracts many Jewish visitors every year.

About two years ago, the centre purchased a few floors in Nariman House. While there was one general floor, an upper room was given for Israeli guests.

The police confirmed that a couple in a building about 200 metres across Nariman House, who were looking out of their window, were shot dead by the terrorists.

The area is near the Colaba market and is mainly inhabited by middle and lower income families.

The Army has been patrolling the area.

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