15 Years Of 26/11: Scars Of Mumbai Attacks Still Visible To Haunt City. A Look Back

Mumbai 2008 Attacks: India is observing the 15th anniversary of horrific Mumbai terror attacks that rocked the nation and left a permanent mark on the face of the city.

Fire brigade officers fighting to douse the fire near the main dom of Taj Mahal Hotel.

Mumbai Terror Attacks Anniversary: On November 26, 2008, India woke up to the horrifying news of multiple terror attacks in the country's financial capital, Mumbai. A city known for spirit and hustle-bustle came to a standstill as gun-toting men entered buildings and showered bullets killing hundreds. Ten terrorists from the banned group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) tore apart the town. They killed 166 people, injured 300 others and left a permanent scar on the face of Mumbai that they will never forget. Today is the 15th anniversary of Mumbai's terrifying past.

The terror attack, which was executed in a well-planned manner, continued to haunt the country four days before the Indian forces killed them all and captured one - Ajmal Kasab. They carefully chose four locations and held hostages including Indian and foreign nationals from many other countries. People who were present at these places, the Taj and Oberoi Hotels, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus and the Jewish centre at Nariman House, on 26/11/2008, perhaps had their worst encounter with death with shootings and bombings taking place around them.

Today, as India recalls the horror of the terror attack, the country also mourns and remembers the valour of Mumbai police and commandos who died in the operation.

A Look Back At Mumbai Terror Attacks

• Ten young men, who were being 'controlled' from Pakistan reached Mumbai from Karachi on speedboats on Nov 26, 2008. Two terrorists entered the Trident, four went to the Taj, and two to Nariman House. 

 

• Ajmal Kasab and Ismail Khan stormed Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) and began shooting and killing people randomly. From here, as per a Business Standard report, the two go to Cama Hospital where they kill six police officers, including Ashok Kamte, Vijay Salaskar and then-head of the anti-terror squad Hemant Karkare.

• They then hijack a jeep and try to flee but are intercepted by police who capture Kasab while Khan is killed in the firefight. 

 

• Two out of four terrorists, Abdul Rehman Bada and Abu Ali planted a crude RDX bomb in front of a police post, the Business Standard reported. Armed with AK-47s, ammunition and grenades they fire indiscriminately. The other two terrorists enter the hotel through a different door and shoot at guests killing four foreigners, a security guard and his dog.

• Mumbai police personnel surrounded the hotel as guests made attempts to save themselves. Army soldiers and marine commandos surrounded the Taj, Trident and Nariman House on the next day on Nov 27 while fresh rounds of gunfire continued and terrorists set fire to a room on the fourth floor of the hotel. According to an Indian Express report, around 200 commandos were flown from Delhi to Mumbai.

• NSG commandos completed their operations at the Trident and Nariman House on Nov 28 under Operation Tornado. On Nov 29, they entered Taj Hotel and killed attackers. Indian forces also suffered casualties on that day. Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan was shot while evacuating commando Sunil Yadav, whereas Sergeant Gajendra Singh Bisht was killed in the Nariman House operation.

• Nine terrorists were killed while Mohammad Ajmal Amir Kasab, the lone Pakistani terrorist was arrested. In May 2010, he was handed the death sentence and was hanged two years later.

• The year 2023 year marks the 15th anniversary of the tragic terror attacks.