The 26/11 Mumbai attacks will remain a deep scar on the hearts of every Indian. The fateful day still etches millions, leaving behind a profound sense of grief, disbelief, and sorrow. On November 26, 2008, ten Pakistani terrorists infiltrated the 'city of dreams' through the sea. They launched a series of attacks at prominent locations, including the iconic Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, the Nariman House, the Oberoi Trident Hotel, and the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj (CST) Railway Station.
The brutal series of attacks went on for nearly four days and claimed about 166 lives, including 18 security personnel, and injured over 300 people. The Pakistani terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) was fully armed with automatic weapons and grenades and targeted both the civilians and the security forces.?
November 26, every year, marks the dark day in the history of India; today, on the 26/11 anniversary, here¡¯s an overview of some facts and truths on how the attacks unfolded:?
On November 26, 2008, the day when attackers infiltrated the shores of Mumbai city via expansive dinghies. To enter the shores, the attackers first hijacked an Indian fishing trawler off the Arabian Sea.?
Completely armed with automatic rifles, explosives, and grenades, they divided themselves into teams to attack some of the prominent locations, which included:
Taj Mahal Palace Hotel: One of the most iconic locations in Mumbai where the terrorists held hostages and fought a prolonged battle with the security forces.?
Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST): This location saw one of the most devastating effects of the attack. The terrorist indiscriminately killed dozens of people.?
Oberoi Trident Hotel: After the Taj, the next target of the attackers was the luxurious hotel Oberoi Trident. Here the attackers targeted the guests and the staff, which led to several casualties.?
Nariman House: This is a famous Jewish community centre where several hostages were made, including a rabbi and his family, who were killed brutally.?
Following the dangerous events, the Indian security forces, including the National Security Guard (NSG), Marine Commandos (MARCOS), and Mumbai Police, immediately took control of the situation and worked tirelessly to rescue the hostages. They were also working towards neutralising the attackers.?
Several operations were held at the affected locations where the battle between the commandos and the terrorists went on for a long time.?
The counterattacks between the force and the attackers went on for a long time; finally, of all the 10 terrorists, nine were killed, while the main culprit, Ajmal Kasab, was captured alive.?
The 26/11 attack was a realisation of the shortcomings in India's intelligence and coastal security. For which the administration made a number of changes, including:?
Finally, on November 21, 2012, Ajmal Kasab, the only alive terrorist, was hanged after the execution and trials.
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