November 26, 2022: Fourteen years ago, the whole country faced a brutal terror attack on the Nation which wounded the heart of every citizen of the country. The incident stands in remembrance to the brave martyrs who lost their lives to protect the country.
On the evening of 26/11/2008, a group ten armed terrorists entered the city of Mumbai to execute a vicious attack breaking the city’s peace and no stop life.
The terrorists belonged to the terror squad of Lashkar-e-Taiba, who are responsible for carrying out attacks on many different countries. Mumbai was engaged in a series of attacks at 12 premiere locations of the city which included the famous Chatrapati Shivaji Terminus, and the Taj Hotel facing the Arabian sea. The attacks which continued for three consecutive days claimed the lives of 166 innocent people including the nine terrorists who were pinned down by our Mighty National Security Guards.
Fourteen years down the line, while we remember the attacks with rage and the people who lost their lives with heavy hearts, I bring out the timeline of events that happened during the Mumbai terror Attacks.
November 26, 2008
Ten terrorists enter into the financial capital of the Country from the sea route on speed boats. The ten armed men supposedly made their way into the Country from the Pakistani City, Karachi. The terrorists then spread out to various locations of the city to carry out their mission. What first seemed like a “gang war” was soon confirmed to be a terrorist attack in the country.
Out of the 10 men, two marched towards The Trident Hotel, four to the Taj Hotel and two to the Nariman House. Two terrorists namely, Kasab and Ismail Khan entered the CSMT Station in the heart of the city and opened fire at innocent people present at the location. Kasab and khan kill 58 people and injure as many as 100 people at the CSMT Station. After creating a blood bath as the CSMT, these two terrorists try to go towards the Cama Hospital and kill six brave policemen in an attempt to attack. While driving away from the Hospital, they hijack a jeep but are intercepted by the police. Kasab is groped by the Mumbai Police meanwhile Ismail loses his life in the encounter with the Mumbai Police.
Meanwhile, the four people who entered the Taj Palace start attacking the guests at the hotel. Shoaib and Umer enter the mighty hotel through a backdoor and start firing at people resting at the poolside which results in the death of four foreign guests and one security guard named Ravinder Kumar. Abdul Rehman and Abu Ali start firing at the people present in the Lobby Area while barging their way inside the hotel. They plant a crude RDX bomb in front of a police post before making their way towards the hotel.
Before entering the Taj Mahal Palace these four terrorists had already taken down The Leopold Cafe.
Attacks along side are also conducted at The Nariman house where 8 people lose their lives after being kept hostage. Out of the 8, five were Israeli citizens which included the parents of Moshe, a two year old boy who survived the attack with the help of the sacrifice of her nanny Sandra Samuel.
The Oberoi Trident hotel also saw an attack by two of the ten terrorists who took the guests as hostages till the siege finally ended on November 28.
The Mumbai Police were quick to act on the attacks at various places and gathered outside the The Trident Hotel, The Nariman House and The Taj Hotel where innocent people were kept hostage in the name of terror attacks. By the midnight, the central dome of the famous Taj Hotel is covered in fire smokes after being bombed by the terrorists. The Army and the fireman execute the first round of evacuation from the hotel
November 27, 2008
The City of Mumbai is under attack. The Army Soldiers and the Marine commandos take charge and surround the three hotels along with the officials of the Mumbai Police. Brave National Security Guards plunge into the hotels, counter attacking the terrorists and they start Operation Black Tornado. The day sees a fresh round of explosions and a fierce battle between the NSG heros and the terrorists meanwhile the evacuation is continued.
November 28, 2008
Operations of evacuation and attacks result in final takeover of The Nariman House and The Trident Hotel however, The Taj palace is still under attack. The attack at the Nariman House claimed 8 innocent lives and the Trident Oberoi Hotel saw murders of 30 innocent lives.
November 29, 2008
The National Security Guards finally manage to flush out the remaining terrorists in the city attacking The Taj Palace through Operation Black Tornado.
Ajmal Amir Kasab was the only terrorist who was captured alive by the Mumbai Police while all of his fellow mates were shot down. Four years later on November 21, 2012, he was hanged to death as ordered by the Honorable Supreme Court of India.
Remembering the Martyrs
The heroes of the Mumbai Police, The National Security Guards and The Indian Army reverted with blood and sweat against the terror attacks on the Country. Unfortunately, some of our brave countrymen lost their lives while fighting. There’s never enough we can do to repay their service to the Nation and to highlight their names is just an effort to pay tribute to these brave heroes.
Hemant Karkare
Mr. Hemant Karkare was the Chief of the Anti Terror Squad who fought till his last breath serving the Nation. Karkare led the squad to attack Kasab and Ismail who captured the Cama Hospital after opening fire at the CSMT. Karkare was shot dead while engaging in a fire session with the terrorists in front of the Cama Hospital. He was honored with “Ashoka Chakra” which is India’s highest gallantry award by the Indian Government on 26 January 2009.
Tukaram Omble
Mr. Tukaram Omble was serving at the post of Assistant Sub Inspector in the Mumbai Police. Even after being shot more than 40 times during the encounter with Kasab and Ismail, Tukaram Omble managed to get hands on Ajmal Kasab alive. Tukuram Omble was also honored with Ashoka Chakra on 26 January 2009.
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Ashok Kamte
Senior Officer Ashok Kamte was serving as the Additional Commissnor in the Mumbai Police. He was also martyred along with Karkare and Omble while the police involved in a vicious attack against the terrorists. Mr. Ashok Kamte was posthumously honored with Ashoka Chakra on 26 January, 2009.
Vijay Salaskar
Vijay Salaskar was an encounter specialist deployed with the Mumbai Police. He gave down his life for the country while fighting the terrorists. Brave hero Vijay Salaskar was honored with Ashoka Chakra on 26 January 2009.
Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan
Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan served in the 51 Special Action Group of the National Security Guards. He was martyred while attacking the terrorists in the Taj Palace Hotel. Major led the NSG group inside the hotel and defended his fellow commandos but was unfortunately encountered by on of the terrorists. Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan was also honored with the Ashoka Chakra along with others on January 26, 2008.
Gajendra Singh Bisht
Gajendra Singh Bisht worked as a Havaldar in National Security Guards Commandos. He was another brave sould of the NSG who laid down his life fighting for the country. He was also honored with The Ashoka Chakra on 26 January 2009.
Among them, were Many other brave souls who didn’t even think twice before sacrificing their lives for the country. As we witness the 14th Anniversary of these horrific attacks, we must always remember that these people and other servicemen of valour in The Police and The Army are the reason we breath safety in our Country.
