Such a precise attack, according to hotel employees who spoke to The Indian Express on the condition that their names not be used, shows the degree of planning and calculation behind the terrorists’ attack and the hold-up. These sources said that the number of dead in the hotel could be “much higher” than the estimated 80 to 100.

Sources said that the gunmen entered the hotel after the shootout at Leopold’s Restaurant at around 9:30. The manner in which they entered the Taj seemed to show that they were very well-acquainted with the hotel: they entered the Palace Wing through the La-Pat Door and then headed to the main entrance.

The La-Pat door is normally shut to the public. However, due to corporate meetings scheduled for that evening, as well as a wedding, this door was left open.

The two gunmen marched straight to the main lobby and opened fire. They were armed with AK-47s and satchels of grenades — one carrying three, the other two slung over his shoulder and in front, they met with other gunmen.

The second group had jumped over the metal gate opposite the Diplomat Hotel which abutted the poolside. They moved about the hotel, shooting, with almost

no communication: they hardly spoke to each other. One of the gunmen threw a grenade towards the main area of the lobby; this grenade failed to explode.

The gunmen then claimed their first lives, those of four foreigners. Guests were sent to the basement till evacuations began at 4 am. Women were ushered down to the ladies’ locker room where they were kept until 6 am. Meanwhile, the gunmen upstairs continued to march towards the Taj’s coffee shop, Shamiana.

At Shamiana, at least three other people were shot including the head chef. The coffee shop allows quick access to the Palace Wing and the poolside: the gunmen went through this door to fire further shots at the poolside, where people were already lying flat on the floor.

The dispersed gunmen then marched up to the fifth and sixth floors where they assembled together. Following a “discussion,” they proceeded to the general manager’s residential suite.