26/11 Mumbai Terror Attack

Ankur Nikam

26/11

A series of 12 coordinated shooting and bombing attacks carried out by 10 militants from the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) group between November 26 and 29, 2008.

The Attack

Targeted high-profile locations across South Mumbai, resulted in the deaths of 166 people, including security personnel and foreign nationals, and injured over 300 others.

Timeline

The terrorists reached Mumbai by sea from Karachi, hijacked an Indian fishing boat, killed the crew, and used inflatable dinghies to land on the coast before splitting into groups to strike multiple targets.

Key Locations Targeted

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) railway station, Taj Hotel and Oberoi Trident Hotel, Nariman House, Cama and Albless Hospital

Security Forces Response

Indian security forces, including Mumbai Police and NSG commandos from New Delhi, carried out a mission called Operation Black Tornado to eliminate the terrorists.

Casualties

20 security force personnel lost their lives, including Assistant Sub-Inspector Tukaram Omble, who was killed while capturing the lone surviving terrorist, Ajmal Kasab.

Heros

Many heros like Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan, Anti-Terrorist Squad Chief Hemant Karkare, Additional Commissioner Ashok Kamte, encounter specialist Vijay Salaskar lost lives in this attack.

Justice and Reforms

Out of 10, one militant was captured alive, tried and sentenced to death and executed in 2012. The attacks revealed major security lapses, prompting key reforms like setting up the NIA and strengthening counter-terrorism laws.

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