Mumbai: At least four of the terrorists who laid siege to Taj Mahal Hotel in Colaba were staying as guests in the hotel for a few days before the attack, a senior officer of the Mumbai police claimed on Friday.
They were living on the fourth floor and may have stocked up loads of ammunition in their hotel room in preparation for the attack, he said.
"According to the information we have, the terrorists booked a room in the hotel. They may have got the ammunitions with them and stored them in their room," the officer said. Not all the terrorists entered Mumbai on the evening of the terror attacks, the officer said not wanting to be named.
It was amazing how the terrorists managed to flit around in the hotel without losing their way, giving the commandos a tough time, he said. "Considering how well the terrorists knew the layout of the hotel, including the exit and entry points, we believe some of them had checked into the hotel in advance."
On Wednesday night, two terrorists went to Cafe Leopold, Colaba, and opened fire. They then returned to the Taj and with the other two took control of the hotel in an hour, another officer said.
"The major problem for terrorists during such operations is the shortage of drinking water," an army officer said, requesting anonymity. "But the terrorists inside the Taj hotel faced no water shortage. It seems they had stored up drinking water," he said.
Another police officer from Colaba also said it was possible that some terrorists had come to the city in advance to do the spadework for the attack. "But I cannot give you an official confirmation," Manik Singh Patil, inspector of Colaba Police Station, said.
"Once we check the CCTVs, the hotel register and take statements from the management, we will be able to throw more light on the matter."
