The 2008 Mumbai assaults, typically referred to as the 26/11 assaults, have been a collection of lethal terrorist strikes that deeply impacted India and drew international consideration. Ten armed males from the Pakistan-based group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) launched a deliberate assault on a number of key areas in Mumbai, resulting in the tragic lack of 175 lives and leaving over 300 folks injured. The assaults centered on main landmarks in Mumbai, such because the Taj Mahal Palace Resort, Oberoi Trident Resort, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT), and Nariman Home.
Mumbai, India’s monetary capital, had confronted a number of terrorist assaults earlier than 2008. In 1993, a collection of bomb explosions shook the town, claiming 257 lives and injuring many others. Extra assaults adopted, such because the 2006 Mumbai practice bombings, which took 209 lives. These assaults have been typically related to terror teams like Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and the College students Islamic Motion of India (SIMI). The 26/11 assaults have been a significant escalation in violence, because the terrorists carried out one of the well-planned and sophisticated assaults in India’s historical past.
How The Assaults Had been Deliberate and Carried Out
The attackers, educated in marine warfare and concrete fight, hijacked an Indian fishing boat and travelled from Karachi, Pakistan, to Mumbai. After killing the crew on the fishing boat, the attackers used inflatable boats to achieve Mumbai. As soon as ashore, they cut up into teams to launch assaults throughout the town.
They carried AK-47 rifles, grenades, and different highly effective weapons. The terrorists have been educated in Pakistan, the place they obtained intense fight and marine warfare classes. Their coaching was led by skilled army instructors, together with these linked to Pakistan’s military and intelligence company, the Inter-Providers Intelligence (ISI). The preparation additionally included thorough analysis and planning of their targets, such because the Taj Mahal Palace Resort, Oberoi Trident Resort, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, and Nariman Home.
26/11 Mumbai Assaults: Focused Places
Taj Mahal Palace Resort
The assaults began round 9:30 pm on November 26, 2008, with the Taj Mahal Palace Resort, a well-known landmark, being the primary goal. The attackers entered the lodge, took hostages, and had fierce gun battles with safety forces. Six explosions occurred on the Taj Resort, with blasts reported within the foyer, elevators, and eating places. Safety forces and firefighters labored nonstop to save lots of hostages. The disaster lasted three days, throughout which intense preventing passed off. It was solely after the final attackers have been killed that the state of affairs was lastly introduced beneath management. The assault led to the deaths of 32 hostages, together with some overseas nationals.
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus
Two attackers, Ismail Khan and Ajmal Kasab, entered the crowded Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT). With AK-47 rifles, they fired aimlessly at passengers within the busy station. The attackers killed 58 folks and injured 104 others earlier than leaving the station and persevering with their assault on the streets. Kasab was later captured alive after a shootout with the police.
Leopold Cafe
The Leopold Cafe, a well-known vacationer vacation spot on the Colaba Causeway, was one of many preliminary targets. Two gunmen, Shoaib and Nazir, fired on the cafe, leading to 10 deaths and a number of other accidents.
Additionally Learn: Remembering 26/11 Terror Assaults In Mumbai: President Murmu, High Leaders Pay Tribute To Martyrs
Oberoi Trident Resort
The Oberoi Trident Resort was one other goal of the deliberate assaults. Just like the Taj, the attackers took hostages and engaged in gunfights with safety forces contained in the lodge. The hostages have been saved, however the lodge suffered heavy harm throughout the assault. Thirty-two folks, together with lodge workers and visitors, misplaced their lives, and over 100 others have been injured.
Nariman Home
The attackers additionally took management of Nariman Home, a Jewish group centre. Two attackers entered the constructing and took a number of folks hostage, together with Rabbi Gavriel Holtzberg, his pregnant spouse Rivka, and 4 others. After a protracted standoff, commandos from the Nationwide Safety Guard (NSG) entered the constructing and freed 9 hostages. Sadly, the Rabbi and his spouse misplaced their lives within the incident.
Perform Of Nationwide Safety Guard (NSG)
The Nationwide Safety Guard (NSG), which is India’s high counter-terrorism unit, was important within the rescue efforts. NSG commandos have been despatched to the Oberoi Trident and Taj Mahal resorts to help within the operations. The commandos encountered sturdy resistance from the well-armed attackers, however through the use of strategic operations, they have been in a position to overpower the terrorists and save a whole bunch of hostages. The final operation on the Taj ended on November 29, 2008, when the remaining attackers have been killed and the lodge was secured. The NSG commandos confirmed unbelievable braveness, with some officers making the last word sacrifice whereas performing their duties.
The Aftermath: Tales Of Heroism And Sacrifice
The assaults claimed the lives of 175 folks, together with 9 of the attackers. Greater than 300 folks have been injured, with many in essential situation. This tragedy uncovered how main cities might be targets for terrorist assaults, nevertheless it additionally confirmed the power of Mumbai’s folks, who united to assist the victims and help the safety forces within the aftermath. Many individuals confirmed unbelievable bravery throughout the assaults, together with Mumbai Police, firefighters, and on a regular basis residents.
Railway announcer Vishnu Zende acted rapidly and saved many lives at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus by warning passengers to go away the world.
Hemant Karkare, the pinnacle of Maharashtra’s Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), was one of the outstanding heroes. Sadly, he misplaced his life in a gunfight with the terrorists on the CST station.
One other hero was police constable Tukaram Ombale, who managed to seize one of many terrorists alive however tragically misplaced his life within the effort. His brave act gave Indian authorities important data that helped cease extra assaults.
After the assaults, Indian authorities rapidly confirmed that the attackers have been linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba, a militant group primarily based in Pakistan. Ajmal Kasab, the one attacker caught alive, was arrested and later discovered responsible. His seize offered essential particulars about how the assaults have been deliberate and carried out. Pakistan acknowledged that Kasab was one among its residents.
The 2008 Mumbai assaults served as a stark reminder of the worldwide hazard of terrorism and the significance of staying alert and dealing collectively to fight extremist violence. The assaults introduced nice ache and loss, however in addition they highlighted the braveness of safety forces, first responders, and on a regular basis folks. Many risked their very own lives to guard and save others, displaying true bravery within the face of hazard.
(Girish Linganna is a Defence and Aerospace Analyst primarily based out of Bengaluru. He’s additionally Director of ADD Engineering Elements, India, Pvt. Ltd, a subsidiary of ADD Engineering GmbH, Germany. The views expressed on this article are of the writer solely.)
