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Black Tornado: The Three Sieges of Mumbai 26/11
26 November 2008. Ten highly motivated and trained terrorists, armed with guns, grenades and improvised explosive devices, slip past coastal security cordons on India's western seacoast in a fishing trawler. They board a rubber dinghy and disembark at Machhimar Nagar, Colaba, Mumbai. Over the next three agonizing days, India's 'Maximum City' is brought to its knees as the fidayeen wreak unprecedented havoc at pre-selected landmarks, holding India's commercial capital hostage. The 26/11 attacks, as they are now known, is widely regarded as the world's first hybrid terrorist attack. The attackers achieved through this long-drawn siege what Al Qaeda did through the high-visibility mass-casualty attack of 11 September 2001. The response to this attack was the first instance of all three wings of the Indian armed forces coming together to fight terror. The attacks tested the mettle of India's elite counter-terrorist force, the National Security Guard, whose strike element was entirely made up of army personnel; the navy dispatched its marine commandos in the initial hours of the attack; the air force flew the NSG into the city and air-dropped them over Nariman House. Black Tornado, as the operation was called by the NSG, is the story of these men called into action in the desperate hours following the most sensational terrorist attack the country has ever seen. Sandeep Unnithan puts together a blow-by-blow account of the terrorist strike and how the siege of Mumbai was thwarted by India's security forces.
202 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 15, 2014
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481 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
October 22, 2017
I only expected Sandeep Unnithan's 'Black Tornado' to refresh my knowledge of the details of the terror attack that occurred what now seems like aeons ago. Having consumed several documentaries, movies and books (The Siege, Headley and I) on the attacks, Unnithan's book was strictly a purchase in the quick/ airport/ nothing-better-to read sense. However, I was pleasantly surprised.
If 'The Siege' is 26/11 from the Taj Hotel's perspective and 'Headley and I' from the terrorist's/ unwitting confidante's, 'Black Tornado' is 26/11 from the perspective of the security forces. In that sense, it fills a critical gap in the understanding of 26/11 - the military perspective. Unnithan removes the veil from the functioning of the bureaucracy and the various security forces ranging from the completely outmatched police force to the effective MARCOS and eventually NSG, in response to the attack.
Fitted with decades old gear and outmatched rifles, what struck me was the spirit of the Indian soldier. Black Tornado is essential reading as a history book, a book on urban warfare tactics and then, for the very human stories of the several bravehearts that looked those terrorists unblinkingly in the eye.
If 'The Siege' is 26/11 from the Taj Hotel's perspective and 'Headley and I' from the terrorist's/ unwitting confidante's, 'Black Tornado' is 26/11 from the perspective of the security forces. In that sense, it fills a critical gap in the understanding of 26/11 - the military perspective. Unnithan removes the veil from the functioning of the bureaucracy and the various security forces ranging from the completely outmatched police force to the effective MARCOS and eventually NSG, in response to the attack.
Fitted with decades old gear and outmatched rifles, what struck me was the spirit of the Indian soldier. Black Tornado is essential reading as a history book, a book on urban warfare tactics and then, for the very human stories of the several bravehearts that looked those terrorists unblinkingly in the eye.
July 19, 2022
A beautiful narrative, lots of eye openers. On ground not all things are good. Hopefully things change. A big salute to all fighters who lost their lives and fought the battle.
December 20, 2014
Amazing read. Meticulously researched and gives a great insight into the National Security Guard (NSG) operations against the gruesome terrorist attacks that took place in Mumbai in Nov 2008. Truly a gripping narrative. I highly recommend it.
November 9, 2015
The author claims that it was originally a magazine article. Well that's what it still reads like. Lacks the depth if coverage of a book. Breezes through events like news bites on the channels. Factually correct. Yet leaves you unsatisfied and yearning for more.
May 4, 2020
51 SAG is the NSG team for handling catastrophies like hijacks or terrorist attacks in mainland India. The 26/11 attacks on Mumbai are a very painful memory. NSG the last and the best intervetion force almost came on its toes before eliminating the terrorist who laid seige on the biggest city of India - Mumbai. Only in movies we could see terrorists holding up several hostages, commandos sneak in - tak tak tak accurate shots and the operation is over. Ofcourse such operations have happened. But in many cases the terrorists are trained as good as the soldiers. Many times when the officers die, it is not because of some error they caused. It is like a sacrifice in chess, they had to do the job and in the process they sometimes go into some moves fully aware that they might not survive. In Mumbai attacks the biggest drawbacks the NSG faced was the communication gap between intelligencd agencies and the police. Even more big drawbacks were irresponsible public and media. The race to trp got a special forces hawaldar killed. The media broadcasted live - commandos entering the nariman point. And the waiting terrorist slaid the first man with precision fire. For, the. Nsg didn't know the movement of terrorists, but the terrorist knew what NSG was doing. The whole world knew. Yes, it was broadcasted live by our media -- thanks to freedom of whatever rights misused. This book effectively narrates like a novel, the problems the NSG had to overcome. They had to innovate and improvise on the spot amidst bullets flying over their head. A good inspirational book, which is very interesting to read.
August 15, 2020
Black Tornado by Sandeep Unnithan is a very well-researched book that gives insight into the operations of Indian Security Forces, especially the National Security Guard (NSG) against the ghastly terrorist attack that took place in Mumbai around 11 years ago (well-known as 26/11 attacks). This terrorist attack was planned and monitored from Pakistan. A group of 10 Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists entered Mumbai and carried out a string of shooting and bombing attacks for 3 days in some of the renowned places of Mumbai. These renowned places include Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus Railway Station, the Leopold Cafe, Cama and Albless Hospital, Nariman House, Oberoi-Trident Hotel, and Taj Mahal Palace Hotel. After this 59 hours long operation, 164 people were found dead, 300 got injured. The Indian Security forces killed nine terrorists and captured one of them named Ajmal Kasab alive.
The book was well-paced and after reading it I got a clear picture of 26/11 attacks in Mumbai. The novel is titled 'Black Tornado' since the NSG gave the operation this name. The author has tried to portray all the events that happened during the operation and how our security forces succeeded in saving several lives despite defective equipment and inadequate funds. Also, I must say that the author has a good hold on his vocabulary as I learned some new words after reading this book. There were also some pictures in the middle of the book that showcases the operations of the security forces while the terrorists were holding hostages in the Oberoi-Trident Hotel, Nariman House, and Taj. But the thing that irked me was that some sentences were missing in the chapter 'Task Force Nariman House.' It might be a printing mistake but should be taken into account.
All in all,'Black Tornado' was an engaging read. If you want to get a clear picture of the 26/11 attacks in Mumbai then you should definitely read the book.
The book was well-paced and after reading it I got a clear picture of 26/11 attacks in Mumbai. The novel is titled 'Black Tornado' since the NSG gave the operation this name. The author has tried to portray all the events that happened during the operation and how our security forces succeeded in saving several lives despite defective equipment and inadequate funds. Also, I must say that the author has a good hold on his vocabulary as I learned some new words after reading this book. There were also some pictures in the middle of the book that showcases the operations of the security forces while the terrorists were holding hostages in the Oberoi-Trident Hotel, Nariman House, and Taj. But the thing that irked me was that some sentences were missing in the chapter 'Task Force Nariman House.' It might be a printing mistake but should be taken into account.
All in all,'Black Tornado' was an engaging read. If you want to get a clear picture of the 26/11 attacks in Mumbai then you should definitely read the book.
July 12, 2021
Chills. Tears. Rage. Pride. Respect. Awe. Gratitude.
September 28, 2023
BLACK TORNADO
Rating 3.5/5
Interesting & gripping events of 26/11 Mumbai attacks.
Sandeep Unnithan has done a nice job in explaining the entire operation in a simple way with every detail.
Rating 3.5/5
Interesting & gripping events of 26/11 Mumbai attacks.
Sandeep Unnithan has done a nice job in explaining the entire operation in a simple way with every detail.
November 8, 2021
Interesting insights about 26/11. The writer tried hard to make it thriller-esque, didn't work though.
November 26, 2020
On 26th November in 2008, 10 terrorists of Lashkar-e-Taiba, an extremist Islamist organisation based in Pakistan carried out coordinated shootings and bombing attacks lasting 4 days in the commercial capital of India, Mumbai.
NSG or the black cat commandos known as the 'last intervention force' a part of elite counter terrorism unit were called from 1400km away.
NSG (National Security Guard) started 'Operation Black Tornado' to free all hostages and eliminate the terrorists.
The book describes minutely how the police, MARCOS fought and specially describes the Operation by the NSG.
I completed this book today on 26th Nov and it feels different...
My sincere tributes to the ones who lost their lives. Terrorists don't have a religion. It's a coward act. You can't kill people and go to heaven. The heaven is here on Earth.
And most importantly, my respect to the Indian army for saving lives.
NSG or the black cat commandos known as the 'last intervention force' a part of elite counter terrorism unit were called from 1400km away.
NSG (National Security Guard) started 'Operation Black Tornado' to free all hostages and eliminate the terrorists.
The book describes minutely how the police, MARCOS fought and specially describes the Operation by the NSG.
I completed this book today on 26th Nov and it feels different...
My sincere tributes to the ones who lost their lives. Terrorists don't have a religion. It's a coward act. You can't kill people and go to heaven. The heaven is here on Earth.
And most importantly, my respect to the Indian army for saving lives.
May 24, 2025
*TODAY IS NATIONAL ANTI-TERRORISM DAY*
I have completed reading the book *BLACK TORNADO : MILITARY OPERATION OF 26/11 BLAST*
26 November 2008. Ten highly motivated and trained terrorists, armed with guns, grenades and improvised explosive devices, slip past coastal security cordons on India’s western seacoast in a fishing trawler. They board a rubber dinghy and disembark at Machhimar Nagar, Colaba, Mumbai. Over the next three agonizing days, India’s ‘Maximum City’ is brought to its knees as the fidayeen wreak unprecedented havoc at pre-selected landmarks, holding India’s commercial capital hostage. The 26/11 attacks, as they are now known, is widely regarded as the world’s first hybrid terrorist attack. The attackers achieved through this long-drawn siege what Al Qaeda did through the high-visibility mass-casualty attack of 11 September 2001. The response to this attack was the first instance of all three wings of the Indian armed forces coming together to fight terror. The attacks tested the mettle of India’s elite counter-terrorist force, the National Security Guard, whose strike element was entirely made up of army personnel; the navy dispatched its marine commandos in the initial hours of the attack; the air force flew the NSG into the city and air-dropped them over Nariman House. Black Tornado, as the operation was called by the NSG, is the story of these men called into action in the desperate hours following the most sensational terrorist attack the country has ever seen. Sandeep Unnithan puts together a blow-by-blow account of the terrorist strike and how the siege of Mumbai was thwarted by India’s security forces.
I have completed reading the book *BLACK TORNADO : MILITARY OPERATION OF 26/11 BLAST*
26 November 2008. Ten highly motivated and trained terrorists, armed with guns, grenades and improvised explosive devices, slip past coastal security cordons on India’s western seacoast in a fishing trawler. They board a rubber dinghy and disembark at Machhimar Nagar, Colaba, Mumbai. Over the next three agonizing days, India’s ‘Maximum City’ is brought to its knees as the fidayeen wreak unprecedented havoc at pre-selected landmarks, holding India’s commercial capital hostage. The 26/11 attacks, as they are now known, is widely regarded as the world’s first hybrid terrorist attack. The attackers achieved through this long-drawn siege what Al Qaeda did through the high-visibility mass-casualty attack of 11 September 2001. The response to this attack was the first instance of all three wings of the Indian armed forces coming together to fight terror. The attacks tested the mettle of India’s elite counter-terrorist force, the National Security Guard, whose strike element was entirely made up of army personnel; the navy dispatched its marine commandos in the initial hours of the attack; the air force flew the NSG into the city and air-dropped them over Nariman House. Black Tornado, as the operation was called by the NSG, is the story of these men called into action in the desperate hours following the most sensational terrorist attack the country has ever seen. Sandeep Unnithan puts together a blow-by-blow account of the terrorist strike and how the siege of Mumbai was thwarted by India’s security forces.
November 25, 2017
When I started reading the book, there was always this thought in my mind, how different will this book be from The Siege. The book is actually a roller coaster ride, smartly unwrapping the risks involved in the rescue mission and spontaneous changes in approach based upon the situation of the mission. The daring and never give up attitude of our special forces makes one literally salute the valour of these brave hearts. This book is surely worth one individuals time.
November 28, 2022
26/11 from POV of the Soldiers.
Must read if you want to know how the terrorists were neutralised in 26/11 attacks.
Not just this, what were some of the things which went wrong and increased the casualties, including that of the soldiers.
Loved the detailed description given of the weapons used, their names, sounds, use, etc.
Point-to-point narration, without going deep into the past of the soldiers.
Completed reading it within a day, 26.11.2022
Must read if you want to know how the terrorists were neutralised in 26/11 attacks.
Not just this, what were some of the things which went wrong and increased the casualties, including that of the soldiers.
Loved the detailed description given of the weapons used, their names, sounds, use, etc.
Point-to-point narration, without going deep into the past of the soldiers.
Completed reading it within a day, 26.11.2022
December 3, 2025
Terrific account of the events that unfolded on 26/11 from the counter terrorist side. Had watched a podcast of Lt Col Sudeep Sen and this book exactly mirrored it. So one can safely be sure, the accounts are from the right people. Recommend this for all the readers who would like to learn more about how the different security forces acted and neutralized targets during the Mumbai siege. Comprehensive and reads like a proper thriller book.
September 12, 2018
Reading this will skyrocket your respect for the armed forces...
The textbook Operation is in itself a motivation and lesson to take from.
The presence of mind of our forces and the ability to take on the counter terrorist activity with such precision is awesome.
Nothing much can be said and I think one needs to read it for the respect you can have for the Indian defence forces...
The textbook Operation is in itself a motivation and lesson to take from.
The presence of mind of our forces and the ability to take on the counter terrorist activity with such precision is awesome.
Nothing much can be said and I think one needs to read it for the respect you can have for the Indian defence forces...
November 11, 2018
26/11 the day which shook the whole india. This books takes us very close to what happened in those 3 days of horror and darkness in Mumbai. It shows the reality through the eyes of the people who were there fighting for country. Very brief account of whole scenario with minute details of the operation by army.
Beautifully written, such a amazing read.
Beautifully written, such a amazing read.
May 11, 2020
A bone chilling novel indeed.From this debacle we contrived of fortifying ourselves against our enemies with some surreptitious amendments in Indian secret service..
Respect to police,Marcos and other armed forces for punishing the perpetrators by undergoing a 70 hour gruelling operation.
Jai hind..
Respect to police,Marcos and other armed forces for punishing the perpetrators by undergoing a 70 hour gruelling operation.
Jai hind..
August 24, 2020
A detailed account of how the attacks took place and the response of our armed forces to this. The author has thoroughly done his research and is able to provide a vivid description of the combat scenes. I loved the small details like for example: when NSG was traveling from their HQ in Manesar to the airport, the toll booth guy created a fuss when letting the convoy through!
May 24, 2022
It is a professionally written and detailed account of the events of 26/11. It captures the chaos of the situation and brings out the horror that the civilians and the military had to face. I do recommend this book to anyone interested in understanding the chaos behind the scenes and the efforts that go behind handling such a demanding situation.
November 3, 2021
The horrors of 26/11 are depicted accurately. This book help in understanding the working of NSG and the immense contributions and sacrifice they made in 26/11. The individual depiction of the men in uniform and their battle strategies are the highlight of these books.
December 24, 2021
A gripping bare bone tale of horror that Mumbai went through on 26/11, Immaculate description of the military aspect of the audacious attack adds to the adrenaline rush... It's fast paced with very little to breathe in between. Absolute nail biter.
July 31, 2022
Read this after watching the movie major.. and now i am suddenlg into non fiction books again.
26/11 was heartbreaking on so many levels but even so it showed how vulnerable and unprepared we were.
But kudos to still tackling it to with our very best.
26/11 was heartbreaking on so many levels but even so it showed how vulnerable and unprepared we were.
But kudos to still tackling it to with our very best.
February 24, 2018
Good read.
Great read. Gives a better picture of what went behind the saving of all the hostages and neutralizing the terrorists
Great read. Gives a better picture of what went behind the saving of all the hostages and neutralizing the terrorists
November 10, 2019
Vivid descriptive account of 26/11. A lot of books have been written about it , it's quite hearting to read about the NSG commandos for a change .
February 11, 2020
It is fast paced reading with nothing new to know about if you have already seen/read about 26/11.
Worth a one time read.
Worth a one time read.
April 20, 2020
Hat's off to our real heroes
One must read this book,at least,to realise what it takes to be called as an Indian in its truest sense.
Thanks Unnithan sir for bringing up this book.
One must read this book,at least,to realise what it takes to be called as an Indian in its truest sense.
Thanks Unnithan sir for bringing up this book.
October 18, 2020
Fantastic book on detail of NSG operations in mumbai attacks... thriller!!!
Read
June 19, 2021Only thing to say felt like seeing in with your bare eyes.
July 27, 2023
Well written and Gripping.
Lots I haven't read before.
Lots I haven't read before.
August 8, 2023
Intense
This book was so very intense and emotional for me because I was living in India when this happened. May India be freed from such terror soon.
This book was so very intense and emotional for me because I was living in India when this happened. May India be freed from such terror soon.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews