14 Years Of 26/11 Terror Attacks: Recounting The Horror That Jolted Mumbai
The terrorists struck at the Taj Hotel, The Trident Hotel, Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, Leopold Cafe, Cama Hospital, Nariman House, Metro Cinema, and in a lane behind the St Xavier's College.
It has been 14 years since the deadly terror attacks in Mumbai, orchestrated by Lashkar-e-Taiba, rocked the city to its core, killing hundreds of people and injuring several others. On November 26, 2008, Mumbai went up in flames when the LeT militants laid siege to several parts of the commercial capital.
Ten terrorists attacked a dozen locations, engulfing the country's financial centre in fear for three consecutive days. At least 166 people, including security personnel, lost their lives in the attacks carried out at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, Hotel Trident, Nariman House, Leopold Cafe and Cama Hospital.
IN PHOTOS | 26/11 Mumbai Attacks Anniversary: Photos That Capture Mumbai's 'Night Of Terror'
As the country still recounts the ghastly attacks that brought the city to a grinding halt, we revisit the horror and salute the bravehearts who laid down their lives.
- On November 26, 10 armed militants stormed into Mumbai by the sea route, and opened indiscriminate fire at multiple sites, including the famous Taj hotel, killing 166 people, that included 18 security personnel, and injuring several others, leaving a scar on the minds and hearts of survivors and their families.
- The deadly attacks lasted for four days. The terrorists struck at the Taj Hotel, The Trident Hotel, Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, Leopold Cafe, Cama Hospital, Nariman House, Metro Cinema, and in a lane behind the St Xavier's College.
- Leopold Cafe, a popular eatery in Colaba, was one of the first places to be attacked on that night.
- The city was left shaken as the LeT terrorists took the guests at the Taj Hotel and The Oberoi as hostages.
- Relentless efforts by the Indian security forces ended the siege at the Oberoi Trident on November 28 and at the Taj Mahal Palace on the morning of the following day.
- At Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, that is one of the country’s busiest railway stations, two gunmen unleashed terror when they opened fire at the passenger hall using AK-47 rifles, killing 58 people and injuring 104 others.
- Nariman House, a Jewish centre in Colaba, also known as Mumbai Chabad House, was taken over by two attackers and several residents were held hostages. Rabbi Gavriel Holtzberg and his wife Rivka Holtzberg, who was six months pregnant, were killed with four other hostages inside the house.
- Ajmal Kasab, the lone terrorist caught alive was hanged to death at the Yerawada central prison in Pune on 12 March 2018.
- Amid the narratives of attack and death, there came stories of undaunting courage shown by the common men.
- It has been reported that the chef and other staff at the Taj Hotel did everything they could to keep the guests safe. They kept calm and constantly went around offering water and asking people if they needed anything. When a fire broke out at the hotel, the staff evacuated the guests first.
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