New Delhi: On the 13th anniversary of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and several leaders paid tributes to the martyrs who laid down their lives while fighting terrorists on that fateful day.
"26/11 is a sad day for us as enemies of country carried out terror incident in Mumbai," PM Modi said at the Constitution Day event in Parliament.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah hailed the courage of the security forces who bravely faced the terrorists.
"Heartfelt tributes to those who lost their lives in the Mumbai 26/11 terror attacks and salute the courage of all the security personnel who bravely faced the terrorists in the cowardly attacks. The whole nation will remain proud of your bravery. A grateful nation will always be indebted to your sacrifice," Amit Shah tweeted.
President Ram Nath Kovind said the nation would always be grateful to the security personnel who laid down their lives in the line of duty.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi shared a two-minute video of the pictures of all the martyrs who died in the tragedy.
"Protects the country by staying at the border away from the family in difficult weather, saves innocents by risking his own life during a terrorist attack. He cares about the world without bothering about his own life, our Jawan is the pride of the family, the village and the nation. Salute to the heroes of 26/11 Mumbai Terror Attacks. Jai Hind," Gandhi said.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also tweeted, "My tributes to everyone who lost their lives in those attacks. Our security forces displayed exemplary courage during the 26/11 attacks. I salute their bravery & sacrifice".
In Mumbai, Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and state Home Minister Dilip Walse Patil paid their respects at the memorial at the police headquarters in south Mumbai.
"Thirteen years have passed yet their courage in face of extreme adversities still inspires us. Remembering Mumbai's saviours on the anniversary of 26/11," tweeted Mumbai Police Commissioner Hemant Nagrale. Nagrale paid floral tributes at the memorial with Maharashtra Director General of Police Sanjay Pandey.
On November 26, 2008, 10 Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists from Pakistan opened fire at several locations in Mumbai, killing 166 people during a 60-hour siege.
Among the locations targeted by the terrorists were the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, the Oberoi Trident, the Taj Mahal Hotel, Leopold Cafe, Cama Hospital and the Nariman House Jewish community centre. Nine terrorists were later killed by the security forces. Ajmal Kasab was caught alive and was later hanged on November 21, 2012.