Mumbai, November 30
Leopold Café, or Leo, the pub on the busy Colaba Causeway that was attacked by terrorists on late Wednesday night killing more than 10 persons, re-opened for business this morning, only to be shut temporarily due o security reasons.
“We had opened it in the afternoon to show them (terrorists) that we have won and not they. But the crowd had become unmanageable as every one wanted to come in and have a look”, said farzad Jehani, whose family owns the restaurant. A landmark in the area, Leo established in 1871 by British owners, has been featured in travelogues and novels like Shantaram published some years ago.
Shattered tabletops, broken glass panes and walls that bore bullet holes were clear reminders of the mayhem wreaked by terrorists that fateful night. Two gunmen, who walked into the restaurant and had dinner inside pulled out automatic weapons and opened fire on staff and customers alike. Two waiters and several customers including a number of foreigners were killed in the attack.
The exact number is not clear since many people died in the hospital, as did several other victims in shootouts by terrorists in South Mumbai. Jehani said the family decided to re-open the place after the commando operation at the Taj Hotel, a short-distance away came to an end yesterday.
As the shutters went up, regular residents at Colaba causeway cheered, and even some foreigners living in the area stepped in for a cup of beer.
Jehani and his brother were in the inner room of Leo watching India defeat England in the cricket match, when the terrorists struck. By the time the two heard the commotion and stepped out a few minutes later, the terrorists had left the place leaving behind several dead and injured persons.
Surviving employees of the hotel and local residents pulled out the dead and injured and rushed them to hospital in taxis.
