Mumbai, the vibrant financial centre of India, entered a nightmare that would go down in history on the evening of November 26, 2008. Over the course of four days, ten highly armed terrorists who had received training from the Pakistan-based terror organisation Lashkar-e-Taiba carried out a slew of well-planned strikes around the city, leaving a path of devastation and fatalities in their wake. The terror assault claimed the lives of 175 people, including nine of the assailants, and injured over 300 more.
The 16th anniversary of the 26/11 assaults is today. Ten Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists carried out a series of well-planned terror operations at the Taj Hotel, Oberoi Trident Hotel, Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, Leopold Cafe, Mumbai Chabad House, Nariman House, Cama Hospital, and Metro Cinema.
The 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks in 2008 claimed the lives of at least 166 people, including 20 members of the security forces and 26 foreigners, and injured over 300 more. The assaults were carried out by the 10 Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists who travelled from Pakistan to Mumbai by boat.
Leaders and individuals from all areas of life, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the President of India, are honouring the 166 victims of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks. Even if that day is still painful, let’s remember the brave people who put their lives at danger to save hundreds of others.
Here are heroes who displayed remarkable courage during the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks:
Tukaram Omble
Assistant Sub-Inspector Tukaram Omble of the Mumbai Police was slain during the city’s 26/11 terror strikes. On the evening of November 26, 2008, Mr. Omble, who was unarmed, was slain while attempting to apprehend terrorist Ajmal Kasab. Mr. Omble made sure the terrorist was apprehended alive before he was shot dead at Girgaum Chowpatty in south Mumbai. Despite being unarmed, Mr. Ombale struggled with Kasab and managed to hold onto his gun, which made it possible for others to apprehend him. The constable died from gunshot wounds after Kasab fired multiple rounds before to his arrest.
Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan
During the 2008 Mumbai 26/11 attacks, Major Sandeep was killed fighting the Pakistani Lashkar-e-Taiba militants.When he was mortally wounded, Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan was in charge of an NSG commando unit that was clearing out terrorists from the Taj Palace Hotel in Mumbai.On January 26, 2009, he received the nation’s highest honour for peacetime valour, the Ashok Chakra.
Hemant Karkare
During the November 26 terror strikes, Hemant Karkare, the head of the Anti Terrorist Squad and an Indian Police Service (IPS) officer from the 1982 batch, was murdered in an ambush outside Cama Hospital along with Ashok Kamte and Vijay Salaskar, an encounter expert.
Karkare, 54, was shot dead while directing an operation against terrorists who had seized many hostages at the Taj Hotel. Three shots struck him in the chest.
Mallika Jagad
During the 26/11 attacks, Mallika Jagad, the Taj Palace Hotel’s banquet manager, took prompt action to safeguard guests. She and her group urged everyone to sit quietly, shut the doors, and turned out the lights. Mallika calmly reassured people and explained the situation despite the stress caused by the explosions and smoke. She remained calm despite the screams for assistance and growing dread until she heard that the Army had come to her aid.
Karambir Singh Kang
Karambir Kang, the general manager of the Taj Hotel in Mumbai at the time of the 26/11 attacks, suffered a personal tragedy when his wife and sons were killed while trapped inside. Nevertheless, his resilience endured this catastrophe, and he kept working day and night to assist the security personnel and staff in saving everyone. Despite not being there when the attack started, he hurried back to the hotel and helped with the evacuation, rescuing hundreds.
Thomas Varghese
One of the true heroes of the 26/11 assaults was Thomas Varghese, a veteran server at Taj’s Wasabi restaurant. He instructed the visitors to crouch after the gunshot bursts and then dispatched them to safety. Varghese was the last person to leave the restaurant, making sure that everyone else had done so first. He sacrificed his life for others, and terrorists shot him dead in the alley.
