MUMBAI – The Abu-Ghazaleh Intellectual Property (AGIP) India Office Manager Khaled Al-Khalidi, survived the recent terrorist attacks that killed at least 195 people.
Al-Khalidi was in a business assignment at the Trident-Oberoi Hotel in Mumbai where gunmen took hostages and killed 36 people.
The Hotel witnessed several explosions on November 27, 2008 due to a terrorist attack and the operation to eradicate the terrorists continued till November 28, 2008 morning.
“I was in a business assignment with one of the employees from the Kuwaiti Consulate waiting for an official Kuwaiti delegation when attackers stormed into the hotel,” Al-Khalidi said.
“The first thing I did was calling the Kuwaiti Embassy in New Delhi warning them not to send the delegation and explaining what happened,” he added.
Meanwhile, Mr. Talal Abu-Ghazaleh, chairman and CEO of Talal Abu-Ghazaleh Organization stayed in contact with Al Khalidi until he was rescued and sent home safely.
“I really appreciate Mr. Abu- Ghazaleh’s concern and continuous encouragement during this ordeal,” Al Khalidi said.
“I also do appreciate the support I received from the Kuwaiti Embassy, Kuwaiti Consulate, the Embassy of Jordan, the Embassy and Consulate of Egypt and the office of the League of Arab States in India,” Al-Khaldi stressed.
The stand-offs began late on Wednesday when heavily –armed gunmen opened fire indiscriminately on crowds at a major railway station and two hotels in addition to other crowded places.
According to Indian officials at least 195 people have been killed, with around 295 injured.