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36,000 bullets to kill 9 terrorists
Updated On: 27 November, 2009 07:12 AM IST | | J Dey
During 26/11, directionless security forces had to use old ammunition, which misfired, indicate investigations
During 26/11, directionless security forces had to use old ammunition, which misfired, indicateu00a0investigations
For 62 hours, beginning 9.20 pm on November 26, 2008, Indian security forces, including the Mumbai police and the National Security Guard, fired 36,000 bullets to combat the 10 Lashkar-e-Taiba men.
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As is well documented, nine of those terrorists were shot down, one was captured alive the man we know as Mohammed Ajmal Amir Qasab.
The security forces spread out across six locations to combat the incessant volleys from the 10 terrorists. But
the Mumbai police were handicapped by the quality of the ammunition they used.
The bullets were old, procured over 10 years ago, and they misfired.
"Had the operation been better planned with better equipment, the number of rounds would have been far less," said a senior police source.
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Fully Faulty? Action near Nariman House last year. |
He did not comment on the cost involved, because in a war-like situation, that is immaterial, he said.
"At least three consignments of 5,000 live rounds were sent for the police to the area of action," recalled Ramrao Pawar, former additional commissioner of police in-charge of the armoury.
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Then, the Special Action Group of the NSG had borrowed more than 21,000 bullets fromu00a0 the armoury.
Advantage terrorists
On the other hand, the terrorists were carrying just 10,500 rounds during the siege. However, they racked up a toll of 166 dead and 300 injured.
A panchnama report has indicated that most of them were on target because they used automatic weapons like the AK-47 rifle.
Investigators also found that all shots were aimed between the groin and chest, increasing fatalities.
Meanwhile, contents of the Ram Pradhan report indicate that the security forces were directionless for more than 10 hours before the NSG, Army and other paramilitary forces like the Marcos stepped in.
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This meant, the men fired without a clear plan to engage the enemy.
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NOVEMBER 26, 2008: Indiscriminate firing by the Pakistani terrorists claimed 58 lives at CST. Handcarts were used to transport the injured and the dead to hospitals. Railway cleaners sanitised the place of blood stains in just six hours. How do you like the new new mid-day.com experience? Share your feedback and help us improve. Read Next Story Trending StoriesLatest Photos |
