Fifteen years ago, a well-armed faction of terrorists affiliated with Pakistan’s Lashkar-e-Taiba wreaked havoc in the nation’s financial hub on the night of 26/11. The assailants indiscriminately fired upon civilians at various significant public sites throughout the city. The assaults resulted in the tragic loss of over 166 lives, including foreigners, and left more than 300 people injured. Although one of the terrorists, Ajmal Amir Qasab, was apprehended alive, the rest were neutralized during the concluding phase of the siege that spanned four days.
The then Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) chief Hemant Karkare, Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan of the NSG, Mumbai’s Additional Police Commissioner Ashok Kamte, Senior Police Inspector Vijay Salaskar and Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Tukaram Omble were among those killed in the attacks.
During the 26/11 attacks, the terrorists targeted several iconic landmarks in Mumbai, including the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, the Oberoi Trident, the Taj Mahal Hotel, Leopold Cafe, Cama Hospital, and the Nariman House Jewish Community Centre, which has since been renamed Nariman Light House.
On the 15th anniversary of the 26/11 terror attacks in Mumbai, Indian leaders as well as global leaders are paying tribute to Bravehearts.
During his monthly Mann ki Baat radio show, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reflected on the Mumbai terror attacks, emphasizing that India can never forget the day it endured “its most heinous terror attack.”
“We can never forget November 26… It was today that a heinous attack took place on our country… I pay my tribute to all the people who lost their lives in the Mumbai attack,” Modi said.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar paid homage to the victims. He expressed India’s ongoing commitment to bringing the perpetrators of these heinous acts to justice. Taking to his official handle on social media, Jaishankar stated, “It is 15 years today since the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks. Our quest to bring those responsible for planning and executing these horrific acts to justice continues.”
The US Ambassador to India, Eric Garcetti, paid tribute to the victims of the 26/11 terror attacks at the US Consulate in Mumbai. The ambassador reiterated Washington’s commitment to stand together with New Delhi in the fight against terrorism. On social media, Garcetti stated, “Today marks the 15th anniversary of the 26/11 terror attacks in Mumbai. We honor the memory of the victims lost and pledge to continue to fight against acts of terror together with the Government of India.”
Israel envoy Naor Gilon also paid homage to the victims at the Chabad House memorial, which has the names of all victims engraved on its walls.
“15 years since the #MumbaiTerrorAttack #UnitedWeStand. This picture is from the Nariman (Chabad) House rooftop memorial where the names of all #Mumbai2611 victims are engraved. Om Shanti,” Gilon posted on X.
Among the Indian leaders, Maharashtra Governor Ramesh Bais and Chief Minister Eknath Shinde honored the security personnel who sacrificed their lives while combatting terrorists from Pakistan. The dignitaries paid their respects by offering floral tributes to the fallen heroes.
Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and several state ministers, including Deepak Vasant Kesarkar and Mangal Prabhat Lodha, were also present at the commemoration event.
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