The 2008 Mumbai attacks, also known as the 26/11 attacks, were a series of devastating terrorist assaults that shook India and the world. Ten gunmen from the Pakistan-based militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) carried out a coordinated attack on multiple high-profile locations across Mumbai, resulting in 175 deaths and more than 300 injuries. The attacks targeted key landmarks, including the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, Oberoi Trident Hotel, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT), and Nariman House.
Mumbai, India’s financial hub, had been a frequent target of terrorism in the years leading up to the 2008 attacks. In 1993, a series of bomb blasts rocked the city, killing 257 people and injuring hundreds more. Further terrorist attacks followed, including the 2006 Mumbai train bombings, which claimed 209 lives. These incidents were often linked to Pakistan-based terror groups such as Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and the Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI). The 26/11 attacks marked a significant intensification of this violence, with terrorists planning and executing one of the most sophisticated assaults in India’s history.
The Planning and Execution of the Attacks
The attackers, who were well-trained in marine warfare and urban combat, hijacked an Indian fishing trawler and sailed from Karachi, Pakistan, to Mumbai. After killing the crew of the trawler, the gunmen entered Mumbai on inflatable boats, splitting up to carry out the attacks across the city. They were armed with AK-47 assault rifles, grenades, and other high-powered weapons.
The terrorists had been trained in Pakistan, where they underwent extensive combat and marine warfare training under the guidance of military instructors from the Pakistani army and Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). This preparation was supplemented with detailed reconnaissance of their targets, including the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, Oberoi Trident Hotel, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, and Nariman House.
Locations Attacked
Taj Mahal Palace Hotel
The attacks began at around 9:30 pm on November 26, 2008, with the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, an iconic landmark, being the main site of the assault. The gunmen stormed the hotel, taking hostages and engaging in intense firefights with security forces. Six explosions were reported at the Taj, including blasts in the lobby, elevators, and restaurants. Security personnel and firefighters worked tirelessly to rescue hostages, but it was only after a three-day siege that the final attackers were killed and the situation was brought under control. The attack resulted in the deaths of 32 hostages, including several foreigners.
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus
Two gunmen, Ismail Khan and Ajmal Kasab, entered the busy Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT). Armed with AK-47 assault rifles, they opened fire indiscriminately on passengers in the crowded station. The gunmen killed 58 people and injured 104 before fleeing the station, continuing their killing spree on the streets. Kasab was eventually caught alive after a gun battle with the police.
Leopold Cafe
The Leopold Cafe, a popular tourist spot on Colaba Causeway, was one of the first places attacked. Two gunmen, Shoaib and Nazir, opened fire at the cafe, killing 10 people and injuring many more.
Oberoi Trident Hotel
The Oberoi Trident Hotel was also targeted in the coordinated assault. Similar to the Taj, attackers took hostages and fought with security forces inside the building. The hostages were rescued, but the hotel sustained significant damage during the attack. Thirty-two people were killed, including hotel staff and guests, and more than 100 were injured.
Nariman House
Nariman House, a Jewish community centre, was also seized by the attackers. Two gunmen entered the building and held several hostages, including Rabbi Gavriel Holtzberg, his pregnant wife Rivka, and four others. After a prolonged standoff, the National Security Guard (NSG) commandos stormed the building, rescuing nine hostages. Tragically, the Rabbi and his wife were among the casualties.
The Role of the National Security Guard (NSG)
The National Security Guard (NSG), India’s elite counter-terrorism force, played a critical role in the rescue operations. Commandos from the NSG were deployed to the Oberoi Trident and Taj Mahal hotels. They faced intense opposition from the heavily armed attackers, but through a series of tactical assaults, they successfully neutralised the terrorists and rescued hundreds of hostages. The final operation at the Taj was completed on November 29, 2008, with the deaths of the remaining attackers and the securement of the hotel. The NSG commandos displayed extraordinary bravery, with several officers losing their lives in the line of duty.
The Aftermath: Stories of Sacrifice and Valour
The attacks resulted in the deaths of 175 people, including nine of the attackers. Over 300 people were injured, many critically. The tragedy highlighted the vulnerability of major urban centres to terrorist attacks and the resilience of the people of Mumbai, who came together to support the victims and the security forces in the aftermath.
Several individuals demonstrated extraordinary courage during the attacks, including the Mumbai Police, firemen, and ordinary citizens. Railway announcer Vishnu Zende’s quick thinking helped save many lives at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus by alerting passengers to evacuate.
One of the most notable heroes was Hemant Karkare, the chief of the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), who was tragically killed during the firefight with the terrorists at the CST station. Another hero was Tukaram Ombale, a police constable who captured one of the terrorists alive, though he lost his life in the process. His bravery provided crucial intelligence that helped Indian authorities prevent further attacks.
In the aftermath of the attacks, Indian authorities quickly identified the attackers as members of Lashkar-e-Taiba, a Pakistan-based militant group. Ajmal Kasab, the only surviving attacker, was arrested and later convicted, providing key insights into the planning and execution of the attacks. Pakistan confirmed that Kasab was a Pakistani citizen.
The 2008 Mumbai attacks were a grim reminder of the global threat of terrorism and the need for greater vigilance and cooperation in countering extremist violence. While the attacks caused immense suffering, they also showcased the bravery of security forces, first responders, and ordinary citizens who risked their lives to save others.
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