Mumbai 26/11 Attack: Remembering the Dark Day That Shook the Nation 16 Years Ago

Mumbai 26/11 Terrorist Attack: A Look Back at the Day That Shook India 16 Years Ago With 10 Haunting Pictures

It was on November 26, 2008. Mumbai, India’s financial capital, bore witness to one of the deadliest terrorist attacks in the country’s history. A tragedy so brutal and horrific that the memory is now infamous as the 26/11 Mumbai attacks left the whole of India reeling. For three days, up to 60 hours, 10 heavily armed terrorists carried out a coordinated series of shootings and bombings across key locations in the city. The bloodbath killed 166 and injured over 300 people, etching it into the collective memory of the nation as a dastardly act.

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The terrorists of Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba entered Mumbai through the Arabian Sea. They wreaked havoc in major locations, including Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, Oberoi Trident Hotel, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT), Nariman House, and the Leopold Café. The attackers were armed with AK-47s, grenades, and explosives, leaving their mark on the world with a level of preparation and brutality.

The Taj Mahal Palace Hotel in Flames
One of the most memorable images from the attack is that of the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel engulfed in flames. This heritage hotel became a battleground as the terrorists held hostages and battled security forces. Fire and smoke billowing through the domed roof symbolized the chaos and destruction inflicted upon the city.

The Devastation at CSMT
The hustling and bustling Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus railway station turned out to become a scene of carnage as terrorists started opening fire blindly on the commuters. The bloodied floors with luggage abandoned here and there captured the sheer panic and despair of innocent civilians caught in the crossfire.

Siege of Nariman House
Another stage of the attack would target Nariman House, a Jewish community center. The commandos rappelling down from helicopters to their rush into the building told the story of a desperate effort to take out the terrorists and save the hostages. Rabbi Gavriel Holtzberg and wife Rivka lost their lives, leaving just their infant son as a survivor.

Leopold Café in Ruins
Leopold Café, a favorite among tourists, was first battered. Broken glass, overturned chairs and tables, and floors splattered with blood came as testimony to the savagery of the attack. Just a few days after the attacks, the café reopened its doors, symbolizing resilience and defiance.

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Daring of Security Forces
Heroic images of National Security Guard commandos and Mumbai Police officers, who were armed and determined, captured the incidents as those fighting to save lives were braving all odds.
Hemant Karkare, Ashok Kamte, and Vijay Salaskar were among the officers who made their ultimate sacrifice here.

Resilience Amidst Destruction
Images of survivors and the solidarity shown by Mumbaikars brought before the world the indomitable spirit of Mumbai. People lined up to donate blood, offered shelter to strangers, and remained united in the face of terror.

The 26/11 attacks were a wake-up call for national security. Today, as we honor the memory of those killed in those attacks, these haunting images remind us that vigilance and unity stand above terrorism. The grit and determination of survivors and first responders inspire the nation to remain steadfast in adversity.

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