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When terror walked into CST
Over 109 security personnel were stationed at CST on Wednesday night when two terrorists entered the station premises, firing and lobbing hand grenades indiscriminately, reports Rajendra Aklekar.
It took two armed terrorists to belie the tall claims made by the Railways and their security agencies.
Over 109 security personnel were stationed at CST on Wednesday night when two terrorists entered the station premises, firing and lobbing hand grenades indiscriminately.
The security personnel were from Railway Protection Force (RPF), Government Railway Police, Railway Protection Special Force and Home Guards. “The railway security cannot open fire indiscriminately, as it could hit passengers,” said Central Railway Chief Public Relations Officer S.C. Mudgerikar.
Images of the terrorists were captured on the 30 closed circuit television cameras (CCTVs) installed at CST station. The footage has not been opened. It will now be sealed by the railway administration. “The tapes will be handed over to the Anti-Terrorism Squad,” said a top Railways official.
In the melée, three security officials lost their lives.
Five railway employees died and seven others were injured.
Mukesh Agrawal, an employee of a food outlet at CST, tried calling up his friends as an unexploded grenade landed near his stall.
“Nobody could come to his rescue,” said director of the food stall, Pankaj Goel. Agrawal has been admitted to Bombay Hospital.
Railway announcer V.D. Zende, could see the drama unfold from his strategic position, though he was out of everyone’s sight. Without waiting for orders, Zende made announcements asking the public from trains pulling into CST, telling them not to get down. “He ended up saving many lives,” said Mudgerikar. The terrorists did shoot in his direction, but he escaped unhurt.
The terrorists lobbed three hand grenades in the outstation terminus lobby two of which were rendered ineffective by the bomb disposal squad, said a railway security official.
