On the 17th anniversary of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, President Droupadi Murmu, Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi paid homage to the victims and security personnel who lost their lives during the four-day siege.
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President Murmu said the nation remains grateful for the courage and sacrifice of those who stood their ground in the face of unprecedented terror. In an X post, she wrote, “On the anniversary of 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, I pay my humble tribute to the brave soldiers who sacrificed their lives to protect the people of our country.” “The nation remembers their supreme sacrifice with gratitude. Let us reaffirm our commitment to combat terrorism in all forms. Let us move forward together on the path of progress with a resolve to build a stronger and more prosperous India,” she added further.
'The Modi government's zero-tolerance policy against terrorism is clear,’ says Amit Shah
Home Minister Amit Shah emphasised that the central government has a zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism and that India's firm stand has gained recognition in the world. In a post on X, he recalled the "cowardly attack" carried out on this day in 2008 and saluted the security forces who fought bravely. He wrote, “Terrorism is not a curse for just one country, but for the entire human race.” He further added, “The Modi government's zero-tolerance policy against terrorism is clear, which the entire world is appreciating and providing broad support to India's anti-terrorism campaigns.”
Rahul Gandhi pays homage to martyrs
Rahul Gandhi also remembered the fallen soldiers and civilians, saying their courage and sacrifice would always remain etched in the nation's memory. Taking to X, he wrote, “My humble tribute to the brave soldiers and common citizens who were martyred in the dussahasi terrorist attack in Mumbai on 26/11. India will never forget their courage, sacrifice, and martyrdom.”
A day that changed Mumbai forever
On 26 November 2008, ten heavily armed terrorists entered Mumbai via the sea route. For the next four days, they targeted multiple crowded locations, including the Taj and Oberoi Hotels, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, Cama Hospital, Nariman House, Metro Cinema and Leopold Cafe.
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In the attacks, 166 people lost their lives, and more than 300 were injured. Remnants of that night - in the form of bullet marks at Leopold Cafe and Nariman House, memorials like the bust of ASI Tukaram Omble, who lost his life during the capture of Ajmal Amir Kasab - remind the city about the darkest hours.
Aftermath and Justice Nine terrorists were killed during the operation, and Kasab, being the lone surviving attacker, was captured alive. He was sentenced to death in 2010 and executed in 2012 in Pune's high-security prison.
