While India remembers the horror of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, Jaishankar says India determined to complete the justice process
The nation remembers the horrors of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks of 2008 on its 14th anniversary, where a total of 175 killed including 29 foreign nationals were killed on November 26, 2008, by a 10-member team of the (LeT), in an attack that lasted over four days. Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba
External affairs minister S Jaishankar on Saturday repeated that the task of punishing the perpetrators of the attack remained unfinished. “Today is the anniversary of the 26/11 terror attack in Mumbai. Even after so many years, the people who planned & oversaw it have not been punished. They have not been brought to justice. This is something which we give utmost importance to,” Jaishankar spoke to the news agency ANI.
The minister also underlined that the government was determined to “complete the process of justice”. He said, “Working with many other countries (whose citizens) also lost lives to make sure that real perpetrators don’t escape justice. It’s an occasion that the entire country remembers it. I want to underline how strongly we feel about determining where to complete the process of justice.”
Joined by many leaders, the foreign affairs minister also tweeted earlier today, sharing a video clip of highlights of his speech from last month’s UN Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC) hosted by India.
The event took place at the Taj hotel, Mumbai where 31 people were killed in the attack. “Terrorism threatens humanity. Today, on 26/11, the world joins India in remembering its victims. Those who planned and oversaw this attack must be brought to justice. We owe this to every victim of terrorism around the world,” Jaishankar’s tweet read, posted with the video
What Happened Those Four Fateful Days?
Eight of the attacks occurred in South Mumbai: at Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, the Oberoi Trident, the Taj Palace & Tower, the Leopold Cafe, the Cama Hospital, the Nariman House, the Metro Cinema, and in a lane behind the Times of India building and St. Xavier’s College. There was also a blast at Mazagaon, in Mumbai’s port area, and in a taxi at Vile Parle.
During the early morning of 28 November, all sites except for the Taj Hotel had been secured by the Mumbai Police and security forces. On 29 November, India’s National Security Guards (NSG) conducted Operation Black Tornado to flush out the remaining attackers; it culminated in the death of the last remaining attackers at the Taj Hotel and ended the attacks.
Ajmal Kasab, the sole surviving attacker, disclosed that the attackers were members of the terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba, and were controlled by Pakistan. Pakistan later confirmed that the sole surviving perpetrator of the attacks was a Pakistani citizen.
On 9 April 2015, the foremost ringleader of the attacks, Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi, was released on bail and disappeared; he was arrested again in Lahore on 2 January 2021.
In 2018, former Pakistani prime minister Nawaz Sharif suggested that the Pakistani government played a role in the 2008 Mumbai attack. In 2022, one of the masterminds of the attack, Sajid Majeed Mir —who had been earlier claimed to be dead by the Pakistan Government— was convicted for funding terrorist activities by an anti-terrorism court in Pakistan.
A total of 175 people, including civilians, security personnel, and nine of the attackers, were killed in the attacks. Among the dead were 29 foreign nationals. One attacker was captured. The bodies of many of the dead hostages showed signs of torture or disfigurement. A number of those killed were notable figures in business, media, and security services.
The chief minister of Maharashtra, Vilasrao Deshmukh, stated that 15 policemen and two NSG commandos were killed, including the following officers:
Assistant Police Sub-Inspector Tukaram Omble, who achieved capturing a terrorist alive, with his bare hands.
Joint Commissioner of Police Hemant Karkare, the Chief of the Mumbai Anti-Terrorism Squad
Additional Commissioner of Police: Ashok Kamte.
Encounter specialist Senior Inspector Vijay Salaskar.
Senior Inspector Shashank Shinde.
NSG Commando, Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan
NSG Commando, Hawaldar Gajender Singh Bisht
Three railway officials of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus were also killed.
India remembers the courage and sacrifice of the Mumbai Police, security forces, and many other brave heroes that rose on 26/11 on these tragic four days when the enemy tried to shake the nation by its roots, but everyone stood strong and united. India salutes the warriors who sacrificed their lives and offers prayers for the families and friends who lost their beloved ones.
