As the country observes the 15th anniversary of the attacks, ceremonies and remembrances are being held across the nation to honour the victims and express solidarity with those who suffered irreparable losses on that fateful day. The commemoration serves as a time for reflection, paying respects to the departed souls, and reinforcing the commitment to national security.
In a commemorative address, Prime Minister Modi reflected on how the nation’s collective strength and capabilities played a crucial role in recovering from the aftermath of the devastating attacks. The series of coordinated attacks on multiple locations in Mumbai, carried out by terrorists, left an indelible mark on the country’s history and collective consciousness.
For every Indian, 26th November is unforgettable. Today, we mark Constitution Day and pay homage to the makers of our Constitution. They were people of great wisdom and intellect.
We also recall all those we lost during the 26/11 attacks and pay tributes to them. #MannKiBaat pic.twitter.com/pOGcpCLJka
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 26, 2023
The Prime Minister’s remarks serve as a poignant reminder of the resilience exhibited by the people of India in the face of adversity. The 26/11 attacks claimed numerous lives and left countless others injured, making it a dark chapter in the nation’s memory.
The Prime Minister’s emphasis on the nation’s capability and recovery underscores the spirit of unity and determination that emerged in the aftermath of the tragedy. The 26/11 attacks spurred a reevaluation of security measures and prompted a united front against terrorism.
Addressing countrymen in the latest edition of his monthly radio broadcast, ‘Mann Ki Baat’, on Sunday, Prime Minister Modi said it was the country’s indomitable resilience and capability that helped it recover from the deep scars left by the coordinated attacks by heavy-armed terrorists from across the border in Pakistan.
“Now we are cracking down and crushing terrorism with full might and courage,” PM Modi said in Hindi during his monthly radio address. “We can never forget November 26 and the deep wounds that the attacks inflicted on us. On this day, 15 years ago, the country suffered its most heinous terror attack. The terrorists shook up not just Mumbai but the entire country and the ripples of it were also felt across the world. However, it was our inherent capability that helped us recover from the 26/11 attacks and crush terrorism with all our might,” PM Modi said.
“I pay homage to all those who lost their lives in the Mumbai attacks. The nation is and will remain eternally grateful to the bravehearts who lost their lives defending us during these attacks,” he added.
On this day, 15 years ago, a group of heavily armed terrorists from the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba unleashed mayhem on the streets of Mumbai, spraying bullets on unarmed civilians at multiple key public installations in the city.
The Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, the Oberoi Trident, the Taj Mahal Hotel, Leopold Cafe, Cama Hospital and the Nariman House Jewish Community Centre, now renamed Nariman Light House, were some of the places targeted by the Pakistani terrorists.
The attacks left over 166 dead, including foreigners, and over 300 injured. While one of the terrorists, Ajmal Amir Qasab, was captured alive, the others were taken out in the final stages of the siege over four days.
In May 2010, Qasab was sentenced to death and was hanged in a maximum security prison in Pune, two years later.
The observance of this solemn anniversary is a collective effort to ensure that the sacrifices of the victims are not forgotten, and the nation remains vigilant in safeguarding its citizens from any future threats. The resilience exhibited in the face of tragedy continues to inspire a sense of unity and determination to overcome challenges that may arise in the future.
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