"When you have a task at hand, food and sleep don't matter. You can survive on a few sips of water," one of the commandos said.

They climbed into the buses and lay tiredly against the seats, only taking time out to call their families and let them know they were safe.

But Mumbai was not ready to let their heroes go just yet -- curious on-lookers, who had gathered at the Taj wanted to talk to share, shake a hand, say thank you, click a picture, discuss strategy, hear how the commandos had decimated the terrorists.

And these brave men in black patiently shook hands, smiled, posed for pictures and answered questions. Some of them lambasted the politicians, blaming them for the terror that had engulfed Mumbai yet again.

NSG commando Acchu shares some of his thoughts and tells us the one thought that is uppermost in his mind.

Text | Video: Savera R Someshwar

Also read: Coverage: Terror strikes at Mumbai's heart