26/11 completes 15 years today! Remembering those people.

On November 26, 2008, 10 Pakistani terrorists entered south Mumbai via the sea and launched attacks at several locations in the city.  26/11 is now marked as a dark day in India’s history as a series of terrorist attacks. The attack was by the Pakistani terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba killed 166 and injured over 300 people. 

 

15 years of 26/11: how the Mumbai terror attack happened?

The coordinated shootings and bombings took place in iconic locations across the city. That includes Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, Oberoi Trident and Taj Palace and Tower, among others. 10 members of Lashkar-e-Taiba, a militant Islamist organisation from Pakistan, carried out 12 coordinated shooting and bombing attacks lasting four days across Mumbai.

A total of 175 people died, including nine of the attackers, with more than 300 injured. Eight of the attacks occurred in South Mumbai, at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, the Oberoi Trident, the Taj Palace & Tower. The Leopold Cafe, the Cama Hospital, the Nariman House, the Metro Cinema. And in a lane behind the Times of India building and St. Xavier’s College.

On 29 November, India’s National Security Guards (NSG) conducted Operation Black Tornado to flush out the remaining attackers. it ended with the death of the last remaining attackers at the Taj Hotel and ended the attacks. In May 2010, Qasab was handed the death penalty, and two years later, hanged in a maximum security prison in Pune city.

On the 15th year of the attack, we are remembering those who gave life!

The scars left by the tragic event stays in the core collective memory of those who witnessed it. Police officials and family members of the martyred policemen paid their heartfelt tributes. This took place at the martyrs’ memorial in the premises of the Police Commissioner Office in south Mumbai.

 

 

This year,  Israel officially designated Lashkar-e-Taiba  as a terror organisation. Heartfelt tributes have poured in on social media from all sections for the valiant policemen who sacrificed their lives for their country. Tributes are being poured for those innocent souls that we lost in the devastating attacks.

Defence Minister of India Rajnath Singh wrote, “Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan was the epitome of courage and bravery. The nation will always be grateful for his service and supreme sacrifice.”