Uncertainly about situation at Mumbai's Chabad House
Throughout the day we have been following news reports about the Islamist terrorist attacks on Mumbai, India's financial center. Our hearts go out to all who have lost loved ones or whose family members or friends have been injured.
Jewish community members may well be particularly concerned as to the whereabouts and well-being of Americans, Israelis and other Jews in Mumbai that have been specifically, it seems, targeted by the terrorists.
Our attention at present is focused on what is being referred to in the media as Nariman House, the residence of Chabad in Mumbai. Earlier reports indicated that the hostages held by terrorists in Nariman House had been freed. But more recent reports are not so clear. We are awaiting clarification of the situation. //Mark
Here is some background information.
(IsraelNN.com) ...The Chabad House was one of 10 sites that were struck by some 25 terrorists who apparently infiltrated into Mumbia by sea and then fanned out through the city. ...
In a statement released by Rabbi Yehuda Krinsky of Chabad World Headquarters in New York reads:
Once again, terrorism has reared its evil head, this time in Mumbai (Bombay) India. Our Chabad-Lubavitch Jewish Community Center, located in Nariman House in the Colaba district, is still occupied by the terrorists.
As of Thursday (Nov. 27) evening, we have not yet heard from our representatives in Mumbai, Rabbi Gavriel and Rivkah Holtzberg, who head the center. The Holtzbergs’ 18-month old son, Moshe, was rescued early Thursday morning and is in the custody of trusted friends.
Chabad-Lubavitch World Headquarters, through its global contacts, continues to vigilantly monitor this tragic situation as it develops.
We pray for the speedy, safe release of all the hostages and those yet missing, and for the healing and complete recovery of all those wounded. We express heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones of each of those who have been brutally murdered in this senseless barbaric attack.
The Chabad couple's two-year-old son Moshe was taken out of the building by his babysitter shortly after the siege began Wednesday night.
There is also grave concern over the fate of at least two other Jews as well, both of whom had flown to India on business to serve as Kosher food supervisors in Indian plants that provide ingredients to kosher food companies in the U.S.
Rabbi Aryeh Leibish Teitelbaum of Jerusalem, the son of the Volover Rebbe of Boro Park and son-in-law of the head of the Toldos Avraham Yitzhak Chassidic sect, was in Mumbai and hasn't been heard from, as is the case with his co-worker Ben Tzion Korman of Bat Yam.
The public is being asked to pray for Gavriel Noach ben Freida Bluma and Rivka bas Yehudis, Aryeh Leibish ben Elta Nechama Maltshi and Ben Tzion ben Elka, as well as "anyone else affected by the tragedy." [Adpated from Israel National News report.]
The situation is being blogged as it happens by http://www.theyeshivaworld.com and covered by the Israel news sources such as http://www.ynetnews.com
Here is the present information from CNN as of 8:30 pm on Thursday.
Fighting erupts at Mumbai Jewish center
A gun battle broke out early Friday between government soldiers in a helicopter and terrorists holed up in a Mumbai Jewish center. Forces are also trying to find gunmen thought to be in two luxury hotels, more than a day after 125 people were reported killed in several coordinated attacks.
