President Droupadi Murmu on Wednesday led the nation in remembering the victims and heroes of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks on their 17th anniversary, paying heartfelt tributes to the brave security personnel who laid down their lives while defending the country against one of the deadliest terrorist assaults in India’s history.
In a poignant message posted on X (formerly Twitter), the President saluted the courage and sacrifice of the soldiers and reaffirmed the collective resolve to fight terrorism in all its manifestations.
“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,” President Murmu wrote. She further urged citizens to renew their commitment to eradicating terrorism and to work unitedly towards building a stronger, safer, and more prosperous India.
“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,” the President added.
A Dark Chapter: The 26/11 Attacks
On the night of November 26, 2008, ten heavily armed terrorists belonging to the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) infiltrated Mumbai by sea from Karachi. After hijacking an Indian fishing vessel, they landed at Badhwar Park in South Mumbai and fanned out across the city, launching coordinated attacks on multiple iconic locations.
Over the next 60 harrowing hours, the terrorists struck at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) railway station, the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, the Oberoi Trident Hotel, Leopold Café, Cama Hospital, Nariman House (a Jewish Chabad centre), and several other sites. They used automatic weapons, hand grenades, and improvised explosive devices, indiscriminately targeting civilians, tourists, and security personnel.
The siege claimed 166 lives, including 18 brave security personnel – comprising officers and jawans from the Mumbai Police, Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), National Security Guards (NSG), and the Indian Navy’s MARCOS commandos. Among the most celebrated martyrs were:
- ATS chief Hemant Karkare
- Additional CP Ashok Kamte
- Encounter specialist Vijay Salaskar
- Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan of the NSG
- Havildar Gajender Singh of the NSG
Several other valiant soldiers and police officers who fought till their last breath
More than 300 people were injured, and the attacks left an indelible scar on the nation’s psyche while exposing serious gaps in coastal security and counter-terrorism preparedness.
Operation Black Tornado, the NSG-led counter-offensive, finally neutralised nine terrorists, while the lone surviving attacker, Ajmal Kasab, was captured alive. Kasab’s subsequent trial and execution in 2012 provided judicial closure, though questions about the masterminds in Pakistan remain.
Also Read: NIA to Court: Rana helped Headley plan Mumbai attack
A Nation’s Enduring Resolve
Seventeen years later, India continues to honour the memory of the victims and the extraordinary bravery of its security forces. Memorial services were held across Mumbai, including at the 26/11 police memorial in the Mumbai Police Gymkhana and at the martyred NSG commandos’ memorial in Delhi.
President Murmu’s message echoed the sentiment felt across the country: gratitude for the sacrifices made and an unwavering commitment to stand united against terrorism in every form and from every source.
As India marches forward as one of the world’s fastest-growing major economies and a rising global power, the resolve forged in the aftermath of 26/11 remains firm: never again shall the nation bow to terror. Jai Hind.
Also Read: US approves extradition of Mumbai terror attack accused Rana
Follow us
