President Droupadi Murmu, Home Minister Amit Shah, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha (LoP) Rahul Gandhi paid tributes to the victims and brave security personnel on the 17th anniversary of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks.
President Murmu said: “On the anniversary of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, I pay humble tribute to the brave soldiers who sacrificed their lives to protect the people of our country. The nation remembers with gratitude their supreme sacrifice. Let us reaffirm our commitment to fight terrorism in all its forms. Let us move forward together towards a stronger and more prosperous India.”
Shah highlighted the central government’s zero-tolerance policy on terrorism, which he said was clear and receiving recognition across the world.
“On this very day in 2008, terrorists launched a cowardly attack on Mumbai and committed heinous and inhumane acts. I pay my respects to the brave soldiers who sacrificed their lives to bravely face the terrorist attacks in Mumbai and I pay tribute to all the people who lost their lives in this cowardly attack,” Shah said for the entire human race, but added, “Terrorism is not just one human race.”
Gandhi mentioned, “My humble tribute to the brave soldiers and common citizens who were martyred in the dussahasi terror attack in Mumbai on 26/11. India will never forget their courage, sacrifice and martyrdom.”
26/11 terrorist attacks in Mumbai
These coordinated attacks by a group of 10 terrorists shocked India and the world. The attackers entered Mumbai on the night of November 26, 2008, across the sea, and over four days killed 166 people and injured 300 in some of the busiest areas of the city, as reported by ANI.
Targets were deliberately chosen for maximum impact, including the Taj and Oberoi hotels, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, Jewish Center at Nariman House, Cama Hospital, Metro Cinema and Leopold Cafe, which are places frequented by foreign nationals and large segments of Mumbai’s workforce.
The tragedy left lasting scars on the survivors and the families of the victims. Bullet marks at the Leopold Cafe and Nariman House, the bust of Assistant Sub-Inspector Tukaram Omble, who sacrificed his life to nab the lone surviving Pakistani terrorist Mohammad Ajmal Amir Kasab, and the streets of South Mumbai all serve as reminders of the horrific attacks.
Nine of the LeT terrorists were killed during the attacks while Kasab was captured alive. He was sentenced to death in May 2010 and was executed in a maximum security prison in Pune in 2012.
