Saturday
1230pm-1900pm: Four male terrorists drive up to the Westgate Mall’s main entrance. They walk out and lob hand grenades at nearby security personnel as well as into the nearby Art Café eatery. They begin shooting indiscriminately at passersby and drivers. Two walk into the mall, while two others walk up to the rooftop parking. At the rooftop, the two terrorists shoot indiscriminately at participants of a cooking completion. Among the victims are women and children. Nearly 45 minutes after the attacks, a team of plain clothes policemen, reservists and armed civilians initiate the first rescue mission. Dozens are saved by this team.
As the rescue operations continue, the terrorists join up and move into Nakumatt where they locate and shoot many more hiding within the supermarket. At 1500hrs, the elite GSU team moves into the mall. An hour later, the command of the situation is handled by the military, who on their assault in the mall, shoot dead a GSU officer and injure another. In protest, the elite GSU squad walks away from the mission. Soon after, both police and military teams walk out to reassemble and attend to their own shot by the terrorists. Security teams try to get to the terrorists, now holed up in a store room at the back of the supermarket. More people are rescued.
Sunday
Almost an hour after past midnight (0054hrs), the terrorists disable the CCTV camera within the store. Nothing is seen of them again. In mid-morning, Interior Secretary Joseph ole Lenku holds a press conference, saying between 10 and 15 terrorists attacked the mall and they are holding hostages. At 2000hrs, the Kenya Defence Forces tweet that four of their soldiers have been injured in an exchange of fire with the terrorists.
Monday
At a quarter to seven in the morning, an explosion is heard inside the mall. Four hours later, Westgate loses all CCTV coverage and electricity supply. Throughout the afternoon, more explosions and gunshots are heard. A large fire begins at the Nakumatt Supermarket. Smoke can be seen bellowing from the building. At 7pm, officials say the smoke is as a result of the terrorists setting fire to mattresses to provide a diversion.
Tuesday
The KDF announce that three of the initially 11 wounded soldiers have died. At 1830hrs, President Uhuru Kenyatta holds a press conference to declare the Westgate Mall secure.
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