Zeenews Bureau
Mumbai, Nov 29: Hours after the conclusion of the 59-hour-long terror ordeal in Mumbai, Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh said that the state cabinet has decided to “raise National Security Guards (NSG)-like battalion” in the state to prevent and counter any such attacks in the future.
Giving details of the rescue operation, Deshmukh said that preliminary investigations conducted by the police officials concluded that 10 terrorists were perpetrators of the dastardly attacks. Out of the 10, nine terrorists have been killed and one arrested, the CM said. He further said that four terrorists had been holed-up inside the Taj Hotel, and the rest were in pairs to carry out the assaults.
Deshmukh maintained that the arrested terrorist hails from Pakistan, but said the identities of the killed terrorists had not been ascertained yet. He also denied reports claiming that some terrorists were British-born Pakistanis.
Addressing media, the CM said that Mumbai has always been a target, as it is a leading commercial city of the world. He however added that the attack should not be perceived as one on the financial capital, but on India itself.
Deshmukh hailed the NSG Commandos and the other security officials for their brave effort. He also confirmed that 350 NSG commandos undertook this operation with the assistance of 400 policemen.
Govt announces compensation
The Chief Minister also announced compensation of Rs 25 lakhs each for the families of martyrs. At least one member of the family of each of security personnel killed will be given a government job, along with the salary of the deceased till what would have been their retirement age. The families of these brave men will be allotted a house of 1000, 800, 650 and 600 sq feet depending on their seniority.
According to Deshmukh, the death toll in the attack is 162, including 18 foreigners. He put the number of injured at 239. However, Disaster Management Cell of Mumbai Municipal Corporation confirmed that at least 195 people, including 10 foreign nationals, have been killed and 295 injured.
Deshmukh also informed that the winter Assembly session, “which was to begin in Nagpur on Monday” has been postponed and “will now begin on December 11”.
First Published: Saturday, November 29, 2008, 00:00