Unilever's top executives had to baracade themselves in a private dining room at the Taj Mahal hotel in Mumbai last week to prevent themselves from being shot at by terrorists. They then had to smash a window and make a dramatic escape, according to a report in The Times.

Patrick Cescau, the current chief executive, and his successor, Paul Polman were among the guests at a formal dinner party organised by Hindustan Unilever, the company's Indian subsidiary.

The dinner, which is part of a tour the two are making during  the take-over period, was well under way when the guests heard gunfire and were plunged into commotion, according to the British newspaper. Instructed by the hotel staff, they turned out the lights and used furniture to barricade the door.

Reports in the Indian press describe how they crouched on the floor in silence as the sound of gunfire came nearer, hoping that the militants would ignore the darkened room. When smoke began to fill the room, they smashed a window for air and a few hours later were rescued by firefighting teams who helped the Unilever party to escape down ladders.

None of the party was injured and Mr. Polman and Mr. Cescau have continued their tour of Unilever offices overseas.