In October, US intelligence agencies warned the chairman of the company that owns the hotel, Mr Ratan Tata, that there will be a terrorist attack on the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel. Security was increased, but was removed soon after.[1]
On 18 November, Indian intelligence agencies intercepted a satellite phone call to a leader of Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist organization, which revealed plans for a sea borne attack.[2]
Entry into India and initial attacks
Date
Estimated Time (+0530 UTC)
Event
21 Nov
evening
Ten terrorists leave Karachi, Pakistan in a boat and travel for thirty-eight hours, remaining undetected by the Indian Navy.[3][4]
22 Nov
Each of the 10 men is given 6 to 7 magazines of 30 rounds each plus 400 rounds not loaded in magazines, 8 hand grenades, one AK-47 assault rifle, an automatic loading revolver, credit cards and a supply of dried fruit.[3][5]
23 Nov
The terrorists hijack an Indian trawler, the Kuber, killing four fishermen and ordering the captain to sail to India.[3]
26 Nov
dusk
They reach within four nautical miles (7 kilometres) of Mumbai and kill the captain. They then proceed to board three inflatable speedboats and proceed towards Colabajetty.[3]
26 Nov
20:10
The first boat carrying around ten of them with several large bags docks at Macchimar Nagar, in Mumbai's Cuffe Parade neighbourhood, where six of the men disembark and the rest continue sailing along the shore. When local residents ask about their occupation, the group responds that they are students.[6]
26 Nov
20:30
Another such incident plays out in Colaba, when the remaining men come ashore at Badhwar Park, Cuffe Parade.[3] They reportedly tell local Marathi-speaking fishermen to mind their business before they split up and head two different ways.[7]
26 Nov
Two terrorists attack Leopold Cafe, spraying bullets onto the people inside before fleeing. 10 people are killed and many are injured, including a Reuters news reporter. Terrorists also plant bombs in two taxis, killing 5 people and wounding 15.
26 Nov
Four of the men enter the Taj Mahal Hotel, two enter the Oberoi Trident, two enter Nariman House, and the other two men, Ajmal Kasab and Ismail, take a taxi to Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus.[3]
26 Nov
21:20
Armed with AK-47 and AK74U rifles, Kasab and Ismail enter the passenger hall of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus railway station, opening fire and throwing grenades,[8] killing 58 people and wounding 104.[9]
26 Nov
22:30
Kasab and Ismail then proceed to the Cama Hospital. The Hospital staff, noticing their approach, lock all of the patients' rooms. The two men reach the Hospital, opening fire there. ATS chief Hemant Karkare attempts to chase them in a jeep, but is gunned down, along with three of his men. The terrorists then hijack the jeep and drive away, but are intercepted by a team from the Gamdevi police station near the pedestrian bridge at Girgaum Chowpatty (Coordinates: 18°57′20″N72°48′46″E / 18.955552°N 72.812909°E / 18.955552; 72.812909). Ismail is killed and Kasab is arrested.[10][11]
12 to 15 bodies recovered from the Taj by naval commandos.
28 Nov
19:30
Fresh explosions and gunshots at Taj Hotel.
28 Nov
20:30
Report that one terrorist remains at the Taj.
29 Nov
03:40 – 04:10
Reports of five explosions at the Taj.
29 Nov
04:20
The Taj Mahal Hotel is reported to be completely under government control.[15]
29 Nov
05:05
Revised estimate of one terrorist remaining.
29 Nov
07:30
Fire raging on first floor. Black smoke on second floor. Gunshots heard frequently — apparent gun battle.
29 Nov
08:00
Indian commandos state that the Taj Hotel is now under control though they are still conducting room to room searches. People celebrate on the streets.[16]
At the Oberoi Trident
Date
Estimated Time
Event
27 Nov
06:00
Police don't do anything because they were not allowed to make decisions as situation was handed over to NSG.
27 Nov
08:40
Firing heard, head army, navy officers arrive and take stock.
27 Nov
13:30
Two small explosions. More reinforcements enter building.
27 Nov
15:25
Some foreign hostages rescued.
27 Nov
17:35
Jat regiment arrives, fierce gun battle.
27 Nov
18:00
27 hostages exit Air India building, four foreigners taken to hospital.
27 Nov
18:45
Explosion heard. Two NSG guards, 25 army personnel suspected injured. More people rescued, 31 in total.
27 Nov
19:25
Fire breaks out on 4th floor.
28 Nov
10:00
Many hostages evacuated from the Trident building.
28 Nov
15:00
Commando operations at Oberoi over, 24 bodies recovered.[17] 143 hostages rescued alive. Two terrorists are shot dead.[18][19]
At Nariman House
Date
Estimated Time
Event
27 Nov
07:00
Police begin evacuating adjacent buildings.
27 Nov
11:00
Cross firing between terrorists and police; one terrorist injured.
27 Nov
14:45
Terrorists throw grenade into nearby lane; no casualties.
NSG commandos are inserted via fast-rope from helicopters onto the roof of Nariman house.[20] To prevent an attack on the commandos, snipers are positioned in nearby buildings.
28 Nov
19:30
Commandos find all 6 hostages, including the rabbi and his wife, tortured and murdered by the terrorists.
28 Nov
20:30
NSG commandos kill the 2 terrorists in a fierce gun battle and declare the operation over.