On November 26, 2008, a series of coordinated terrorist attacks in Mumbai, India, shook the nation and the world to its core. Often referred to as 26/11, the attacks left behind a trail of destruction, heartbreak, and resilience. Ten heavily armed terrorists from the Pakistan-based militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) carried out the assault, targeting multiple locations over the course of four days. The incident claimed the lives of 166 people, injured over 300, and left an indelible mark on India's psyche.
On the evening of November 26, the attackers arrived in Mumbai via the Arabian Sea, having hijacked an Indian fishing trawler to reach the city undetected. Once in the city, the group split into teams of two, each assigned to specific targets.
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CST): Two gunmen, Ajmal Kasab and Ismail Khan, opened fire indiscriminately at the crowded railway station, killing 58 people and injuring over 100. The station, a major transportation hub, was chosen for its high density of commuters.
Leopold Café: Located in the heart of the Kolaba district, the popular café was attacked by two terrorists who fired on diners, leaving 10 dead. The café was a frequent spot for both locals and tourists.
Taj Mahal Palace Hotel: This iconic luxury hotel became one of the main battlegrounds. Terrorists stormed the building, taking hostages and setting parts of the hotel on fire. The standoff between terrorists and security forces lasted for nearly 60 hours. Guests, staff, and security personnel were caught in the crossfire, with many losing their lives while others were trapped inside.
Oberoi-Trident Hotel: Another five-star hotel, the Oberoi, was also attacked, with terrorists holding hostages and killing many guests. The standoff at this location continued for over 40 hours, with National Security Guard (NSG) commandos eventually neutralizing the terrorists.
Nariman House: Also known as the Chabad House, this Jewish community center was targeted by two gunmen who took six hostages, including a rabbi and his family. The intense operation to free the hostages resulted in their deaths, but the terrorists were eventually killed by the NSG.
Cama Hospital: While fleeing from CST, Kasab and Ismail Khan attacked the nearby Cama and Albless Hospital for women and children. Here, they encountered Mumbai police officers, including the city’s Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) Chief, Hemant Karkare, Additional Commissioner Ashok Kamte, and encounter specialist Vijay Salaskar, all of whom were killed during the ensuing gunfight.
Metro Cinema and Other Sites: The attackers also planted bombs in taxis, one of which exploded near Metro Cinema, killing the driver and passengers. Additional blasts were reported in various other parts of the city, adding to the overall chaos.
Recognizing the gravity of the situation, the Indian government quickly mobilized its elite forces. The National Security Guard (NSG), India’s premier counter-terrorism unit, was flown in from Delhi, along with marine commandos (MARCOS) from the Indian Navy. It took time for these specialized units to arrive and organize their response, but once on the ground, they systematically cleared the occupied buildings.
The operation, named "Operation Black Tornado", unfolded over 60 hours as commandos battled the attackers room by room in the Taj, Oberoi, and Nariman House. The goal was to minimize civilian casualties while neutralizing the terrorists, a delicate and challenging task given the hostage situation.
By the morning of November 29, all attackers, except for Ajmal Kasab, were killed, and the city was brought back under control. Kasab, captured alive after a gunfight, would go on to play a critical role in revealing details about the planning and execution of the attacks.
The 26/11 attacks were not just an attack on Mumbai but on India’s sovereignty. The scale and audacity of the operation raised serious questions about the country’s preparedness to deal with terrorism. There were failures in intelligence, coordination, and emergency response that became the focus of intense scrutiny in the aftermath.
Ajmal Kasab’s capture and subsequent trial provided invaluable information about the attackers' training and support network. It was confirmed that the operation had been planned and executed from Pakistani soil, with LeT masterminds like Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi orchestrating the attack.
International pressure mounted on Pakistan to crack down on terrorist organizations operating within its borders. While Pakistan denied state involvement, the evidence presented by India led to the arrest of several individuals linked to the attack. However, justice has been slow, and many of the masterminds behind 26/11 remain free.
In India, the government initiated a series of reforms to strengthen internal security. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) was created in 2009 to deal with terror-related cases, and efforts were made to improve coastal security and intelligence sharing between state and central agencies. India's counter-terrorism strategy was overhauled, and investment in modernizing the police force and equipping them with better arms and technology was prioritized.
The 26/11 attacks had a global impact, not least because they targeted Westerners in high-profile locations. Citizens of 15 countries, including the US, UK, and Israel, were among those killed. The attacks highlighted the global nature of terrorism and the need for international cooperation in combating it. It also brought attention to the role of transnational terrorist organizations and the complexities of tackling state-sponsored terrorism.
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