Nariman House, the nondescript white colour five-storeyed building was never in news, until it came under terrorist attack on Wednesday night.

On Friday evening, heavy gunfire started from all sides, targeting the Nariman House. With the help of local residents, I with a journalist friend managed to climb an under-construction building at Koliwada which gave a full view of the Jewish residential complex, except the ground floor.

We observed some movement in the terror-struck structure as commandos were moving up and down on staircase amid sounds of gunshots. Several commandos were also firing from adjoining buildings towards the southern end of Nariman House.

"Nariman House was a residence and prayer place for Jews. In its place, earlier there used to be a Parsi bungalow in the crowded Colaba market area. After demolishing the bungalow, the building was constructed," Murlidhar Rajake, a local, said.

"There was only one family staying in the building and others used to come for prayer. And we don't know much about them," Rajake said.

"It seemed that some were partying in the building on the day of attack as the inmates had ordered 100 kg meat from the market," he added.

Several locals feel that the terrorists who attacked the building, had stayed there with the Jewish family as guests.

"It seems their earlier stay here had helped them in knowing the entire building and that is why they could ward off security forces for so long," said another resident.

When the ultras entered the building on Wednesday night, local people heard some sound of blasts and firing. But they could not immediately realise that it was a terrorist attack, as the area is always a peaceful.

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