•We are in front of a landmark (Taj Hotel, Mumbai) that will remain imprinted in our memories for the harrowing times we had watching it on television for three-and-a-half days. My guest this week is J K Dutt, former Director General of the National Security Guard, under whose command the siege was brought to a logical conclusion and a bloody one. Welcome to Walk the Talk.

It’s nice to be here with you.

•It’s also sobering to be here.

Very much.

•It’s also wonderful to have you speaking for the first time on what happened.

This is something that has given me a sense of accomplishment at the time of my retirement. In fact, I would say that Operation Black Tornado was almost a vindication of all the...

•...There was only one operation.

Yes. Surprisingly, the media at that time had said that there is an Operation Cyclone, an Operation Weather Storm. But the entire operation at Nariman House, Oberoi and Taj hotels was Operation Black Tornado.

•Tell us how it started.

I was watching television and the first thing I heard on the news was that there was some gang war. But from the way the shooting was going on and some of the shots they were showing, I could make out that this was a terrorist attack. I immediately asked my commandos to get ready and soon after that I received a call from the Cabinet Secretary saying that probably the NSG will be required and the team should be ready. As soon as that happened, I felt we should move our men to the airport.

... contd.