First, i want to say my heart goes out to all the victims of terrorism aswell.
Living in Norway, i am blessed with the peacefull life of living in the countryside, and in general, a country that never see much bloodshed at all. Sure, we have the occasional murder or other tragic incidents, but nothing on a grand scale.
But…..watching the TV(CNN) all of a sudden flash up with the now dreaded “Breaking News” flash always get me scared, because, it seems the world in general has gone mad the last few years/decade.
Its sad when you see the “Breaking News” flash, and you realise that something has gone terrible wrong in some part of the world, and it also makes me angry; normal, decent, hard-working people getting killed for no reason.
But the world in general seems mad these days as i said earlier, “Breaking News” used to mean important stuff happening, like Prime Ministers or soemthing like that who resign or whatever, these days, it seems like “Breaking News” could be renamed “More people dying for no reason”. It just makes me so angry.
Sorry for my rant, just had to get it out :(
Again, my heart and thoughts goes out to all the victims and their families.
Kyrre, Norway

Oh forgot to add to my previous post: i have tremendous respect for you journalists who brave danger, fear and human suffering to bring us the news from around the world :)
Be sure to stay safe out there.

Kyrre, Norway

Keeping up to date here, and watching CCN-IBN aswell, just heard about the bystanders being hit, if anyone who is near the hotel read this, be aware that the average 7.62 rifle round used in an AK47 is lethal up to a couple of kilometers distance, not likely that any normal human without an sniper scope can aim and hit that far, but watch out for stray shots, so be sure to keep your distance, especially you reporters.
I find it really weird and disturbing that the police and army havent set up physical barricades farther away from the “action” though. All i heard was that they draw a “line” on the ground people could not cross…like that is gona stop anyone from moving closer…
Stay safe :)

Sara-
I was deeply moved by your coverage of the Chicagoan family that managed to survive the attack on the Taj Mahal Hotel. When I saw your emotional response when discussing how you acted as a life line via text and cell phone to the family inside the hotel with their family members in the States, I couldn’t hold back the tears. I know that journalists are supposed to keep an emotional distance from the stories that they cover but I have to say that I found your emotional coverage probably the most authentic that I have seen of this conflict.

I am deeply saddened and concerned by the situation in Mumbai and want to help. Are there any organizations collecting donations to help the situation? I know that at this point the Indian government isn’t accepting aid from the US but are any NGOs able to assist in any way?

Thank you. Stay safe.

My prayers are with all of the people in India & all the families of the dead & wounded.–one quick point, the rabbi was a US citizen, too. He had dual citizenship (Isareli & US). I am not sure aboout his wife, Rivkah, so the US toll is at least 3 & maybe 4.
Anna in Santa Fe

It is a difficult life for any human being under such circumstances. It is only people who live it that could tell.

Alright, I had been watching your coverage of the seige from the comfort of my living room, and I could sense the pain and suspense of those trapped in their hotel rooms, the relief of those rescued and above all the horror of the residents, victims and relatives of those in Mumbai, who watch as their own modern day city is taken over without any clear indications of what is happening.

I do admire you and other reporters, on your courage and empathy as you risk much to bring this reports to viewers across the world, about the realities of Terrorism, and how desperately it needs to be confronted. Now Sara, try to stay safe, and I wish you and everyone out there safety.

These attacks only make it clearer that terrorism is NOT the answer to injustice.
We live in a world where people are exploited, but killing innocent people in revenge only increases the injustice.

Sara,
Thank you. Bless you. Please stay safe so you can keep reporting for many years to come. I became a Sara Sid(e)kick when you were on KTVU. I couldn’t imagine where this would lead, or that your reporting could improve from the high standard you set in San Francisco, but it has. Amazing! Be brave; be safe; know that I pray for you.

We Love life and they love death.
We cherish and strive for goodness while these terrorists have a warped sense of the world as it should be.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days, all the days of my life.
It is a sorrowful day and we pray for those who innocently lost their lives to these misguided fools.

I was watching the news before work this morning watching Sara duck and keep moving away from the hotel. It appeared that a fellow journalist may have been injured by flying debris at one point. It really puts a perspective on how thankful I really am that I live in the United States. We have our issues, but for the most part our society lives without fear of these types of events. Sara, I admire your courage.

It amazes me that extremists strike out at civillian Westerners while the horriffic collateral damage is innocent people of all cultural backgrounds being murdered. It is cowardice hiding behind a veil of phony martyrdom.

To all of the CNN correspondents around the World, please be careful.

Sara-
Your continuing coverage of this event has been remarkable. The blasts, angry mobs, bullets firing, and surrounging jounalists getting injured has not stopped you. I hope you get some much needed rest after this is all over. I’ve seen you on tv the past two days when I get up at 5 am and I see you on tv when I go to bed at midnight. Keep up the great reporting, you are bringing this story to the American public with such a high level of professionalism. Stay strong, and stay safe!

Why do they send reporters to the field? RATINGS!!!, that’s all it is and it’s CHEAP! The usually report somewhere visually aesthetic, whereby they could report from a safer place and give us the details, and why is it that during this tragedy, that cnn and major news corps. in the united states, have to find americans in a situation that doesn’t call for claims of nationality. America, this isn’t your tragedy.

I was moved to tears when I saw the video of a 13 year old boy who survived and is currently in the hospital. His family did not survive. I want to moblize social and economic efforts to help this boy and others like him. Can someone find the name of the hospital or give any recommendation on how I can find ways to help him.

Mani Bhatia,
Northern New Jersey

My heart goes out to the citizens of India as well as the people of many other nations who have been affected by these horrible attacks. A great man from India, Mahatma Gandhi, taught us that the most effective way to resolve misunderstandings is through love, compassion, constructive dialog, and mutual understanding. Regardless of our color, creed, or beliefs, we are all brothers and sisters. Perhaps one day these terrorists will grasp that their tactics only isolate them further. The day they lay down their weapons and show respect and decency toward *all people* is the day their grievances will be sincerely listened to.

Actually this is a bit more accurate as far as what an AK-47 round can actually do.The standard AK-47 or AKM fires a 7.62×39mm round with a muzzle velocity of 710 metres per second (2,300 ft/s). Muzzle energy is 2,010 joules (1,480 ft·lbf). Cartridge case length is 38.6 millimetres (1.52 in), weight is 18.21 grams (281.0 gr). Projectile weight is normally 8 grams (120 gr). The AK-47 and AKM, with the 7.62×39mm cartridge, have a maximum effective range of around 400 metres (1,300 ft). Now having said that because of the size and weight of the bullet there isn’t much you would be able to hide behind that would stop it. Although these weapons are notoriously inaccurate and fairly unreliable.

I am confused about the biased news report I saw on CNN today regarding the Mumbai attack.
The terrorist who is caught alive, has CLEARLY confirmed that he and his entire team is from PAKISTAN and they were planning on creating another 9/11 in Mumbai. HOW MUCH MORE CLEAR CAN IT GET???
Indian NSG also found calls coming in from PAkistan on the terrorist’s cell phones.

Who is the U.S govt scared of? Don’t they realise that they are supporting a country who is breeding and sheltering terrorists??? Has U.S not learnt their lesson after 9/11?

Dear Ms Sider,

Thank you for your very courageous work. I am Indian, but I grew up within a half-mile of the site where they built the World Trade Center — and then, I spent a great deal of time there. My mother still lives at Ground Zero. I remember seeing the little bistros, and small shops where I had spent so much time, blown out of existence, as the fireballs roared down the streets of Lower Manhattan.

Long before 2001, I had learnt an abiding horror of terrorism. Any terrorism. All terrorism. I remember the ‘Troubles’, in Northern Ireland, with heartache.

There is no comparing terrorism, and the pain it causes. It is simply, and utterly inhuman. I didn’t sleep much, during the Siege of Mumbai. I kept CNN-IDN on the laptop. Why didn’t they (whoever ‘they’ are) renew CNN’s permission, to broadcast live? That was a bit weird.

I kept watching and listening, waiting for it to really be over. There were so many false reports of it being over… strange that.

Terrorism knows no discrimination. It is the cultural sociopathy of the past half-Century (though it existed before that, it wasn’t like now…). I believe terrorism will see the law of diminishing returns, worldwide, as it did in Northern Ireland, and has been doing in Europe. It wins nobody anything. It only costs. It can hang over people like a threat, but if those people refuse to behave as though they are threatened, ultimately, it loses its power.

That’s the spirit I’m seeing in Mumbaikers. They’re rebuilding, and not going to allow this violence to break their stride. Of course, there is mourning. And naturally, there are wounds. Physical… on the city, on the people, and the city lives in the people.

@ Sacto

No, my friend, you are wrong. This is the world’s tragedy. All terrorism, anywhere, is the world’s tragedy. If we only care about ‘our own’, we are denying our common humanity. It is not an ‘American’ tragedy, to be sure. It is a human tragedy. Would you have people outside of Mumbai, or outside of Maharashtra, or outside of India, or outside of Asia, not care? Where do you draw the line?

My family is Indian, in India. New Delhi was the victim of terrorism in September. Even if that were not the case, I know how it feels, to have one’s city raped by terrorism. I cannot imagine how it was, to be in Mumbai, during the Seige, but thanks to CNN, I could share some of it, and understand some of it. Not because I want to say it is ‘mine’, but because I want to say, the world is in this together, wherever it may occur.

Sala’am. Shalom. Shanti. Peace.

Pakistan is indeed the epicenter of terrorist cells. Those terrorists may also get training and other intelligence support from the extreme wing of the Pakistan Government. This country and its homegrown extremists are the real threat to the human civilization and world peace. It is time to take this seriously by peace-loving international community and put this Terrorist country in the terror watch list and make the Pakistani government responsible and accountable to root out these evils network from the face of the earth.

As a veteran of the Taj Bombay I became depressed when it was blatantly attacked. I cannot forgive the terrorists ever. They have wounded the symbol of Bombay. And when I think of the General Manager’s family being burnt alive, I shudder at the utter bestality, the horribly brutal and evil mindset of these terrorists. They killed people of all religions. But to kill Jews (who hardly exist in India anymore) is to kill our almost extinct minority who deserve our greatest affection and protection.

Our politicians are mostly the scum of the earth. They are pompous, crude, self-seeking, corrupt, lazy and uncouth. Vile. No conscience or compassion. May the souls of the dead Rest In Peace.

i am shocked ,my eyes drained,

politicians are making more mess,
our javans give their life, and politicians make way for terror

i think when such terrorist come and show guns and hit us do not panic

instead go together and catch them and punish and finish them then and there only. (don’t give them to police some influence will come and again they will be freed ),

so that they don’t dare to come to us again. may be some of us may lose life.

if a terrorist come to hijack ,just attack him together,he is also a human being .while doing this some of us will lose life,one day or the other we should die,lets to some good deeds for our fellow being and die.

if a terrorist come and hijack our beloveds dont yield to them,we should be reddy for the sacrifice, to save our country.

this kind of awareness should be given to the people.even in schools.

The acts of terrorism are the same. Whether it were the Jewish people, Americans or Chinese killed, Or whether it were in Lahsa, in Mumbai or in New York. These are innocent people. They were killed before they even knew why and how!

The murders should not receive a Nobel Prize for peace. You got to agree with this since you are standing the moral high ground.

Thank you Sara for bringing in first hand account of this tragic & absolutely senseless carnage in Mumbai. It is very sad to see these insidious Islamic terrorists carry out this cowardly massacre. Pakistan’s extremists Islamic groups sent these terrorists to Mumbai to kill numerous innocent & helpless Hindus & Indian Muslims, Brits, Yanks, Jews & other nationalities because India is a soft & easy target unlike the tough USA or UK. These Islamic terrorists have carried out series of these massive attacks on Indian soil all these years. The captured lone terrorist has clearly told the Indian Police that he & his entire terrorist group came from Pakistani soil.

What is the Pakistani Government doing? Initially Zardari & Gilani wanted to send the infamous ISI Chief to India, but then ISI is itself in cohorts with the Islamic extremists groups like LeT, which is responsible for cowardly Mumbai massacre, so ISI & Pak Army (which is also part of the evil terrorists network in Pakistan) must have threatened Zardari & Gilani, so this ISI Chief was not allowed to visit India to help the Indian Government with investigations. This shows that the current Pakistani government is just a puppet in the hands of Pak Army, ISI, LeT & other Islamic extreme fundamentalist organisations. Can this “democratic” Pak Government start its own internal inquiry & investigations to track down the master minds of this brutal massacre in Mumbai, who are hiding within Pakistan? It is a shame & disgrace on Pakistani citizens & its democracy to allow & support such barbaric terrorists groups to operate on its own soil. Come on, Pakistani Democratic Government, be a hero & wipe out all these extreme Islamic terrorists camps on your soil.