Ballroom Blitz - Commandoes Stalk Lone Gunman on Taj Dance Floor

There was further bad news from the Taj Mahal, where security forces had predicted a swift end to the siege, which they thought would be less complicated than that at the Oberoi.

Lieutenant-General N. Thamburaj explained to reporters that security forces were now hunting a lone gunman, possibly with hostages, through the maze of rooms, suites and corridors of the hotel. “He is moving in two floors. There is a dancefloor area where apparently he has cut off all the lights,” he said.

“This morning while carrying out the operation we heard the sound of a lady and a gentleman, so it is possible that this terrorist has got two or more hostages with him.”