Relatives mourn death of their loved ones in Mumbai terror attack

Basti (U.P.), Nov 30 : With 60 hours of terror coming to an end after a tough battle between the National Security Guards (NSG) commandos and the terrorists, bereavement of those 195 innocents killed in the attacks has overwhelmed the country.

With the dead bodies being sent to their hometowns the relatives mourn the loss of their loved ones.

About four people hailing from Basti in Uttar Pradesh were killed in the atrocious attack.

Hidayat Ullah, a 22-year-old waiter working in the Leopold Cafe, one of the targets of the terrorists, lost his life as a bullet struck him when he was taking orders from the occupants of table number four, one of the frontal tables.

His dead body was brought to his village where the last rites were performed.

"The militants started firing indiscriminately and entered the hotel (Leopold Cafe). One of the bullets hit him when he was taking orders. When he was taken to the hospital he was declared dead," said Quazi Hisamuddin, the village head.

Amongst the others who were killed were Akhlakh, Maksud and Firoz. The three had gone to meet a local Basti MLA who was staying in Hotel Taj.

Lamenting over the death of his grand son and the only bread earner in the family, Firoz's grandfather said that now their only support is the almighty.

"We were dependent on him only. He was the only one in Mumbai, where he used to live with his family and used to send us money. We are dependent on almighty now," said Hazi Mohammad Siddiq, grandfather of Firoz, one of the deceased.

The biggest attack of its kind the militants' targeted people from all strata of life. With a mission to kill 5000 people, the militants entered Mumbai through sea.

Acting in small groups these militants indiscriminately shot people and within a short span of time left the metropolis bleeding.

Around 195 people were killed and more than 300 injured. Authorities say 22 foreigners were killed, including nationals from the U.S., Germany, Australia, the UK, Canada, France, Israel, Italy, Japan, Singapore and Thailand.

Those dead included chairman of a multi national bank, sister and brother-in-law of a Bollywood actor, food critic and journalist of a leading national daily.

ANI