Tributes pour in for martyrs of 26/11 Mumbai terror attack on 15th anniversary

Singh also shared a video posted by the Indian Army paying tribute to Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan. The video highlighted how the Ashok Chakra awardee led the National Security Guard’s “Operation Black Tornado” to rescue civilians. Lauding Unnikrishnan’s bravery and sacrifice, Singh wrote, “Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan was the epitome of courage and bravery. The nation will always be grateful for his service and supreme sacrifice.”

Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan was the epitome of courage and bravery. The nation will always be grateful for his service and supreme sacrifice. https://t.co/xXpjQXSqjP

— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) November 26, 2023

Eric Garcetti, the US Ambassador to India, shared a photograph of him paying floral tributes to the martyrs. Extending support to India in the “fight against acts of terror”, Garcetti wrote on X, “Today marks the 15th anniversary of the 26/11 terror attacks in Mumbai. We honor the memory of the victims lost and pledge to continue to fight against acts of terror together with the Government of India.”

Today marks the 15th anniversary of the 26/11 terror attacks in Mumbai. We honor the memory of the victims lost and pledge to continue to fight against acts of terror together with the Government of India. pic.twitter.com/6Y3jUsQiak

— U.S. Ambassador Eric Garcetti (@USAmbIndia) November 26, 2023

Sharing a poster of Taj Hotel being attacked, Union Minister for Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari wrote on X, “Humble tribute to all those martyred in the terrorist attack on 26 November 2008 in Mumbai. Salute to all the brave security personnel who bravely faced this attack.”

मुंबई में 26 नवंबर 2008 को हुए आतंकी हमले में शहीद सभी को विनम्र श्रद्धांजलि। इस हमले का डटकर सामना करने वाले सभी वीर सुरक्षाकर्मियों को सादर नमन। pic.twitter.com/26ehzcprDe

— Nitin Gadkari (@nitin_gadkari) November 26, 2023

Union Minister for Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal said that the terror attack will never be forgotten. “Neither have you forgotten, nor will you forget! We pay our tribute to all the soldiers, policemen and civilians who made the supreme sacrifice for the country in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks,” Goyal wrote in Hindi on X.

ना भूले हैं, ना भूलेंगे!

26/11 को हुए मुंबई आतंकी हमले में देश के लिए अपना सर्वोच्च बलिदान देने वाले सभी जवानों, पुलिसकर्मियों एवं नागरिकों को शत्-शत् नमन। pic.twitter.com/sXVCnbzAQ0

— Piyush Goyal (@PiyushGoyal) November 26, 2023

Anurag Thakur, Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting paid homage to the security personnel who sacrificed their lives saying, “A heartfelt tribute to all the security forces who made the supreme sacrifice in the defense of the nation in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack. The country will never forget your courage, dedication and sacrifice.”

26/11 मुंबई आतंकी हमले में राष्ट्ररक्षा में अपना सर्वोच्च बलिदान देने वाले सुरक्षा बल के सभी जवानों का भाव-भीनी श्रद्धांजलि 🙏🏻

आपके साहस, समर्पण व बलिदान को देश कभी भूलेगा नहीं।

— Anurag Thakur (@ianuragthakur) November 26, 2023

Congress MP Praful Patel wrote, “Heartfelt tributes to the brave souls who sacrificed their lives in the 26/11 attacks. Their courage and resilience will forever be remembered. We stand united against terror, striving for peace.”

Heartfelt Tributes to the brave souls who sacrificed their lives in the 26/11 attacks. Their courage and resilience will forever be remembered. We stand united against terror, striving for peace.#Mumbai2611 #MumbaiAttacks #MumbaiTerrorAttack pic.twitter.com/K6mrJbeDGN

— Praful Patel (@praful_patel) November 26, 2023

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde along with Governor Ramesh Bais, Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis, Mumbai Guardian Minister Deepak Kesarka paid floral tributes to the martyrs at the police memorial in the police headquarters. They also met the families of policemen who lost their lives in the attack.

मुंबईवर झालेल्या दहशतवादी हल्ल्याला आज १५ वर्षे पूर्ण होत असून या हल्ल्याने मुंबई पोलीस दलाची जी हानी झाली ती कधीही भरून येणे शक्य नाही. या निमित्ताने या हल्ल्यात शहीद झालेल्या पोलिसांच्या कुटूंबियांना भेटून आम्ही तुमच्या सदैव सोबत असल्याची खात्री दिली. https://t.co/sygp3D1wzG pic.twitter.com/r86ROldwmN

— Eknath Shinde – एकनाथ शिंदे (@mieknathshinde) November 26, 2023

On this day 15 years ago, 10 Lashkar-e-Tayyeba (LeT) militants sailed across the Arabian Sea, from Karachi to Mumbai, and went on the rampage in the city for four long days. The armed militants attacked a dozen locations in Mumbai — a hospital, railway station, a restaurant, a Jewish center and two luxury hotels, including Taj Mahal Palace. At least 166 people were killed and over 300 injured in the attacks.

The Taj Mahal Palace Hotel was besieged by four heavily armed militants for more than 60 hours. Later on November 29, 2008, the Indian commandos declared that the Taj Hotel had been cleared of attackers.

The then Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) chief Hemant Karkare, Army Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan, Mumbai’s Additional Police Commissioner Ashok Kamte and Senior Police Inspector Vijay Salaskar were among those killed in the attack. Ajmal Kasab was the only terrorist who was captured alive. He was hanged four years later on November 21, 2012.