People recall terrorist attack

Source: CCTV.com | 11-29-2008 12:14

Saturday saw Indian security forces declaring an end to the siege of militants. People caught up in the attacks are returning home recalling their fear and uncertainty in the terrorist strikes.

A group of German tourists who escaped unharmed in the attacks returned to their country on Friday. One of them spoke about the situation at the Marriott hotel where he had been staying.

German tourist Martin Leib said, "We were staying at the Marriott and originally, the Marriott was listed as one of the affected hotels. That information turned out to be false. But we still didn't know where to go: they closed the restaurant and we were asked to go to our rooms but we did not feel safe. All we could do was watch television. All stations showed the same pictures. It was very worrying We did not have a good feeling about it, not at all."

A toddler was rescued from a Jewish centre targeted by militants and reunited with his grandparents on Friday. The boy's parents were killed when Indian commandos stormed the center on Friday, killing two suspected Islamist gunmen but failing to save five hostages.

Several Members of the European Parliament caught up in the Mumbai attacks arrived safe in London on Friday. They had been in the city as part of a trade delegation. Most of them stayed at the Taj Mahal Hotel, one of two targeted by the militants.

European Parliament member Syed Kamall said, "I think in the short term people are going to stop and reflect and worry. This could have happened anywhere. All newspapers I have been reading (said) they were planning the big one... It happened to be in India. They wanted to disrupt business, they wanted to disrupt trade. They wanted to disrupt community relations and I just hope that India gets over this and moves on."

Authorities are working to find out who was behind the attacks. Responsibility is being claimed by a previously unknown group calling itself the Deccan Mujahideen. A team of FBI agents has been ordered to fly to India to investigate the attacks.

Editor:Zhang Ning