The Harrow Observer's Bollywood columnist has provided an astonishing eyewitness account of the deadly terrorist attacks in Mumbai.


Bollywood columnist Dev Patel sent a despatch from the city this morning, saying he could hear gunshots closeby as he typed, and warned: "It's not over by any means."

Meanwhile, the vice-chairman of the Indian Association of Harrow said he and his colleagues were "shocked" by the reports of the seemingly indiscriminate and unprovoked carnage coming from the homeland.


At least 80 people were killed yesterday (Wednesday) when an armed mob targetted British and American citizens, and took them hostage, at seven tourist locations, including two luxury hotels, the Taj Mahal and the Oberoi, while police fought running gun battles with the terrorists.


An militant Islamic group called Deccan Mujahideen claimed responsibility and now it appears martial law has been imposed in the city that was formally called Bombay.


Dev, who relocated to India a month ago and used to live in Hindes Road, Harrow, wrote: "Its very sad here. It's very scary, the scariest thing I've seen.


"In fact, I was suppose to go to The Taj Mahal hotel tomorrow to meet a friend. The Taj, The Trident and The Oberoi have got hostages for more than 15 hours now and terrorists have taken over all the three hotels.


"The chief of anti-terrorist cell is dead, the deputy commisioner of police of Mumbai city is dead and just heard in the last five minutes that the Indian Army have taken over the proceedings.


"As I type, there are gun shots heard from The Taj. The city is at a standstill and is under curfew.


"All my celeb friends are fine but one of them has his sister trapped in the hotel. All of them have given me comments and shown anger towards this shocking event, which is not over by any means.


"Firing still continues and I hope this nightmare ends. I've been hearing through my sources and media friends that our choppers are chasing a speeding boat in the Arabian sea as of now (the same boat which dropped off more than 15 terrorists last night outside the historic Gateway Of India).


"The anger towards the city's security is questionable and debatable and have to be answered by the Government.


"Marriages had to be cancelled, premieres of films are cancelled, even the stock exchange is shut today - no trading.


"All offices in Mumbai are shut. Today, Mumbai has come to a grinding halt: the worst ever site I've seen, after the London bombings."

Ajay Aggarwal, vice-chairman of the India Association of Harrow, told the Observer: "I have been in touch with some colleagues and we are absolutely shocked about this.

"Bombay seems to have been targeted because it is a commercial hub. Terrorists normally have some objective and this seems to be completely random  - firing indiscriminately at railway stations and in the lobbies of hotels where completely innocent people who have come together to do business.

"In Harrow, we are really shocked at these apparent Islamic terrorists. I wish we knew what they want."

Mumbai-raised London Assembly member Navin Shah summed up the terrorist attacks in his home city as a 'major scale atrocity'.

The former Harrow Council leader commented today after at least 80 people were killed yesterday (Wednesday) when an armed mob targetted British and American citizens, and took them hostage, at seven tourist locations, including two luxury hotels, the Taj Mahal and the Oberoi, while police fought running gun battles with the terrorists.

A militant Islamic group called Deccan Mujahideen claimed responsibility and now it appears martial law has been imposed.

Mr Shah (Labour), Brent and Harrow assembly member, whose 82-year-old brother Dinesh lives in Mumbai, said: "I was actually brought up in Mumbai, and went to secondary school and did my architectural studies in the city. I have been extremely moved by the situation and my thoughts immediately turned to my brother and in-laws and large family and friends. Everybody is fine but we're all extremely scared by what's happened and the situation.

"There is still not much information coming out about exactly what's happening because this is an unprecedented act of terrorism in a city that is at the heart of economic and cultural activities in India. People are absolutely terrified. This is an atrocity of a major scale."

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