It’s been 16 years since India witnessed a night of tears, losses and inhumane acts. Never in the history of mankind, such a sudden attack on people out to dine or simply getting on with their usual day had been attacked this brutally, other than the 9/11 attack (the attack on World Trade Center, US). However, the 26/11 attack on Mumbai was even more devastating.
The 26/11 attack is the day when more than 160 innocent lives became the target of cruelty and atrocious deed. Here’s a brief timeline of what the nation went through during the horrific three days that saw the unstoppable tears, pain and resilience.
The Vicious 26/11 Attack: How the Things Went Downhill
10 Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists invaded the Mumbai city with the motive of violence, destruction and killing as many people as possible. For three consecutive days, the city was engulfed in fear and dread. This terror attack reached the death toll of 166 people, including foreigners and left 300 people injured.
Nine terrorists were killed in the four-day long operation by the military forces. The lone attacker Ajmal Kasab was held alive and sentenced to death at Yerwada Central Jail in Pune in 2012.
26 November 2008
The LeT terrorists targeted renowned places of Mumbai- Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus Railway Station, Nariman House business and residential complex, Cama Hospital, Leopold Café, the Oberoi-Trident Hotel, and Taj Hotel.
The terrorists reached the city by hijacking a fishing trawler from a Pakistani port in Karachi. On reaching Mumbai city, the terrorists hijacked cars, including a police van and dispersed into the groups to carry out their mission. They were equipped with AK 47s, automatic-loaded weapons, bombs, and hand grenades. Four terrorists invaded the Taj Mahal Hotel, two entered the Oberoi Trident, two infiltrate Nariman House, while two others, Ajmal Kasab and Ismail, took a taxi to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT).
Locations of 26/11 Attack
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus Railway Station (CSMT)
9:20 PM: Kasab and another terrorist, Ismail Khan barged into CSMT and started shooting randomly. The attack lasted 90 minutes, causing panic and death. The CSMT attack witnessed the death of 58 people. Moreover, while leaving the railway station, the terrorists opened fire into a crowd gathered around a police barricade. This caused the death 10 more people outside the station.
Leopold Café
9:40 PM: Four terrorists targeted the popular Leopold Café. They indiscriminately fired on the diners, killing 10 of them. The café attack lasted 10-15 minutes. The militants also planted bombs in two taxis that resulted in the death of 5 people and fatal injuries to 15.
Cama Hospital
10:30: After attacking the CSMT, Kasab and Ismail headed to Cama Hospital. The hospital staff acted promptly upon noticing their approach and locked the patients’ rooms. The attack resulted in the death of six police officials including, then-ATS chief Hemant Karkare, Ashok Kamte and Vijay Salaskar and three other officers. The militants also hijacked their police jeep.
Kasab and Ismail Khan were captured near Girgaum Chowpatty. Police constable Tukaram Omble grabbed the barrel of their rifle, which helped the police team to capture Kasab. Ismail Khan was killed during the confrontation.
Nariman House (26-28th November 2008)
26 November- The attack on Nariman House completely contrasted in nature as it was a Jewish community center. Two terrorists attacked the Nariman House owned by Rabbi Gavriel Noach Holtzberg and his wife, Rivka Holtzberg. The militants first exploded a nearby gas station. They then busted the house’s base using RDX laden device. Rabbi Gavriel Noach Holtzberg and his wife, Rivka Holtzberg, and other six guests were held hostages.
27 November- The Nariman house was surrounded by the marine commandos and military forces.
28 November- The military forces and the terrorists engaged in a fierce gunfire, which resulted in the death of the terrorists. Commandos discovered the bodies of all the six hostages, including Rabbi and his wife.
However, this three-day seige at the Jewish center resulted in the death of approximately 7 people.
Oberoi-Trident Hotel (26-28th November 2008)
26 November- The two terrorists entered the hotel, first targeting the gatekeeper. The militants then headed inside the hotel and randomly started firing. They killed the staff members, hotel management trainees, bellboys, and several other tourists including foreigners. They exploded the lobby area of the hotel using grenades.
27 November- NSG (National Security Guard) took over the rescue operation and surrounded the hotel. Explosions and gun battles continued to occur throughout the day.
28 November- The operation was concluded. Both the militants were killed. Approximately 30 were killed, 24 bodies were recovered and 143 hostages were rescued alive.
Taj Hotel (26-29th November 2008)
26 November- Two among the four militants, Abdul Rehman Bada and Abu Ali entered from the main entrance. They also planted a crude RDX bomb in front of the police post nearby. The militants opened fire randomly on everyone that caught their sight. The remaining two terrorists, Shoib and Umer, entered through the La-Pat door of the hotel. They started gunning down the guests in the poolside area.
27 November- Commandos reached the Taj Hotel from New Delhi and took the charge of the rescue operation. Fresh sounds of gun battle were reported from inside the palace. The terrorists also set a room on fire.
28 November- Authorities reported another fresh round of explosions. Approximately 10 grenade explosions took place inside the hotel.
29 November- The commandos declared the Taj Hotel under the government control.
A Glimpse into the Courageous Souls of the 26/11 Attack
The deadliest and cruel 26/11 attack witnessed unheard screams and pains of the families who lost their loved ones. Along with them were the families of some brave hearts who got martyred while confronting the terrorists.
Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan
Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan, an NSG commando lost his life while battling the terrorists inside the Taj Hotel. “Do not come up, I will handle them,” were the last words that Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan told his team.
Tukaram Omble
Tukaram Omble was serving as a police constable in the Mumbai Police. Tukaram’s bravery was the reason that the police was able to catch Ajmal Kasab.
Hemant Karkare
Hemant Karkare, the Anti-Terrorist Squad chief took three bullets in his chest while fighting terrorists outside Cama Hospital in south Mumbai.
Ashok Kamte
The Additional Commissioner of the Mumbai Police, become the target of the terrorists in the narrow lane between St Xaviers College and Rang Bhavan in south Mumbai. The brave officer offered assistance, even though his area in the East zone was not under attack.
Vijay Salaskar
The encounter specialist lost his life while he was heading to the Anti-Extortion Cell. The government honored him with Ashoka Chakra on January 26, 2009, for his bravery.
Hawaldar Gajendra Singh
Gajendra Singh was among the NSG commandos that were roped down to the roof of Nariman House. Singh’s sacrifice is the reason that helped NSG commandos in dominating the terrorists. Even today, when anyone brings up the topic of 26/11 terror attacks of Mumbai, chills went down through the spines of people. The attack compels us to think on how low the humanity can go while executing such kind of ruthless acts. This also raised questions about the security concerns of the nation.
We also praise the daring and heroism act of our officers who sacrificed themselves. Their sacrifice is the reason that many families were able to see their loved ones again.
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Naina Jaggi is an author deeply rooted in Journalism, mainly writing on lifestyle, entertainment, travel, politics and financial markets. This diverse experience has allowed her to blend rich details with engaging narratives that capture the essence of various worlds. When she is not crafting tales, you’ll find her immersed in music and enjoying the company of dogs. She is also into K-dramas, thriller and horror movies that fuel her imagination, bringing the same spark to her stories.
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