A building gave Mumbaikers virtual war experience

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.

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.

Some youths rushed to the building to check if there was some accident. One boy even managed to reach the first floor of Nariman House but a grenade was thrown in his direction. He escaped with injuries on his leg.

But, even then, no one could realise that it was a Terror attack and they threw stones at the building. Again firing was heard from inside and locals realised that the situation was not normal.

Harish Gohil who was staying in the nearby apartment was killed as he peeped out of the window after hearing explosions as a bullet hit him. "He died on the spot," another resident Mahesh Jadhav said.

Then the news started spreading that terrorists have captured the building and a family was trapped there.

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