Mumbai, 17 Years After 26/11, the Wounds and the Will

Seventeen years ago, India’s financial capital witnessed a night that forever altered its sense of safety, resilience, and identity. On November 26, 2008, a group of 10 heavily armed terrorists infiltrated Mumbai and unleashed coordinated attacks across the city, striking at its busiest transit hub, iconic luxury hotels, a bustling café, and even hospitals. What followed over the next three days was a chilling, unprecedented siege that tested the city’s spirit and revealed extraordinary courage amid unimaginable horror.

The Night the City Stood Still

On 26 November 2008, shortly after 9 p.m., the first shots rang out at Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST), one of the world’s busiest railway stations. Peak-hour crowds turned into targets as attackers opened fire indiscriminately, sending thousands scrambling for cover. The carnage that began there quickly swept across South Mumbai: the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, the Oberoi Trident, Leopold Café, and even Cama Hospital came under fire.

For the next 60 hours, the world watched as flames engulfed parts of the Taj. Hostages were taken. NSG commandos, local police, fire services, and marine squads worked in unison through gun battles, evacuations, and room-to-room combat. By the end, more than 150 people were killed and over 500 injured and they included civilians, tourists, police officers, railway employees, hotel staff, and hospital workers.

The Heroes

The 26/11 attacks are often remembered not just for the scale of violence, but for the heroism displayed by countless individuals. Railway announcers at CST guided passengers to safety even as bullets flew. Hotel staff at the Taj and Trident shielded guests and led them to escape routes. Doctors and nurses at Cama Hospital protected patients through the night. Police officers like ATS Chief Hemant Karkare, Additional Commissioner Ashok Kamte, and Encounter Specialist Vijay Salaskar laid down their lives confronting the attackers.

Their sacrifice became a defining chapter in India’s fight against terror.

Aftermath of the Carnage

In the years following the attacks, Mumbai transformed its security framework. Coastal surveillance was strengthened, the National Investigation Agency gained prominence, and quick-response teams were permanently stationed in major metros. Hotels, railway stations, and public venues revamped security protocols, making them some of the most scrutinized spaces in the country.

Globally, 26/11 reshaped India’s counterterrorism diplomacy, leading to stronger global cooperation and intelligence-sharing mechanisms.

Every year, Mumbai pauses on November 26 to remember the victims and pay homage to those who fought back. Memorials stand at CST and the Taj; wreaths are laid, names are read out, and candles flicker against the city’s skyline.

Yet beyond the ceremonies, 26/11 remains a deeply personal memory for countless families.Still, Mumbai endures. The city that was brought to a standstill for three days resumed its rhythm on the fourth, its trains running, markets opening, and people returning to work. That resilience has since become a symbol not just for Mumbai but for India as a whole.

As the 17th anniversary is observed today, the message resonates clearly: Mumbai remembers, India remembers and the resolve to stand united remains as strong as ever.