Terrorists attack on Kenyan Shopping Mall

A group of Somalia’s al-Shabaab terrorists armed with assault rifles and grenades barged into the 4 storied West Gate Shopping Mall in Westlands neighborhood of Kenyan capital Nairobi and killed more than 68 people including two Indians, Canadians Chinese and French nations on Saturday and held hundreds of people in hostage. Around 175 people were injured in the terrorists’ attacks. Sridhar Natarajan and Nehal Verkaria are the two Indians killed by the terrorists.

The terrorists, who barged into the crowded shopping mall have opened fire killing at least 50 people on the spot and held the rest in hostage. According to Kenya’s Interior Minister Joseph Ole Lenku, there are around 15 terrorists inside the shopping mall and holding hundreds of hostages. Kenyan Police and armed forces have rescued around 1000 people till Saturday evening. Some fortunate people, who hide in safe places during the attacks, were able have a miracle escape from the shopping mall on Sunday. According to them, the terrorists are in full control of basement and 3rd floor of the shopping mall.

The motive of the attack is in retaliation to Kenyan armed forces operations held in 2010 in Somalia. The al-Shabaab group claims for the attack and hostage. A military spokesman reported on Twitter that by 11 p.m., "most of the hostages have been rescued and security forces have taken control of most parts of the building."