26/11: 15 Years After the Mumbai Attack; Unhealed Scars, Unforgotten Lessons

Mumbai, 26 November 2008 – A dark night when Mumbai faced a terrorist attack. Fifteen years have passed, but the scars, wounds, and pain from that attack are still present today.

26/11 and the 10 terrorists

Commonly known as 26/11, this attack was carried out by a group of 10 terrorists who arrived from Pakistan by sea. Executed with meticulous planning, these attacks wreaked havoc on the streets of Mumbai, shocking the nation and the world.

Lashkar's conspiracy

The terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) was responsible for the attacks that took place in Mumbai on the night of November 26, 2008. Over the next four days, they carried out multiple attacks, killing 166 people and injuring 300.

The terrorists strategically selected prominent targets in Mumbai, such as the Taj and Oberoi hotels, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, the Jewish center in Nariman House, and Leopold Cafe in Colaba.

How the terrorists arrived

To carry out the attack, the group of terrorists arrived by sea on a boat. It is reported that they came from Karachi and landed near the coastline in Colaba, Mumbai. From there, the terrorists proceeded on foot, causing mayhem at various locations.

Nine killed, Kasab captured

Due to the actions of the security forces, nine Lashkar terrorists were killed. However, at Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus railway station, the sole surviving Pakistani terrorist, Mohammed Ajmal Amir Kasab, was apprehended. In May 2010, Kasab was sentenced to death, and two years later, he was hanged in Pune jail.

Deep wounds

The scars left by this tragic event are etched in the memories of those who witnessed it. The lessons learned from this incident have become crucial for global security.

Israel's commendable step

In commemoration of the 15th anniversary of these tragic terrorist attacks, Israel has officially designated Lashkar-e-Taiba as a terrorist organization. This action was taken without the request of the Indian government.

Always remember this day

Once again, the most horrifying jihadist terrorist attack on Indian soil is remembered today. Fifteen years ago on this day, what happened in Mumbai did not just target the innocent; it shook the world with its demonic, barbaric terrorism.

What Israel did in response to Hamas in the same year as the 15th anniversary of these painful terrorist attacks is a mirror image of what Lashkar terrorists did in Mumbai. Unprovoked attacks on innocent people. Although protests against Israel in support of Palestine are happening in various places, the horrific nature of what Hamas did on October 7 has diminished in the background. It is crucial to remember that Israel's response began with such a terrifying jihadist attack that finding words to describe its complete horror is difficult. The same terror and barbarism occurred in Mumbai, and it is essential to always remember it.