Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari and Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Saturday paid floral tributes to the martyrs who laid down their lives fighting terrorists who attacked the metropolis on this day 14 years ago.
They paid their respects at the martyrs’ memorial on the premises of the South Mumbai police commissioner’s office. Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Chief Secretary Manu Kumar Srivastava, minister Deepak Kesarkar, state Director General of Police (DGP) Rajnish Seth, Mumbai Police Commissioner Vivek Phansalkar and other officials were present.
Family members of the policemen who lost their lives in the November 2008 attack paid tribute to the martyrs too.
On November 26, 2008, 10 Pakistani terrorists arrived by sea and killed 166 people, including 18 security personnel, and fired indiscriminately damaging property worth crores of rupees.
Among those killed in the attack were then Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) chief Hemant Karkare, Army Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan, Mumbai Additional Commissioner of Police Ashok Kamte and Senior Police Inspector Vijay Salaskar.
The attack began on 26 November. It lasted until 29 November. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, Oberoi Trident, Taj Mahal Palace and Tower, Leopold Cafe, Cama Hospital, Nariman House Jewish Community Center were some of the places targeted by terrorists. Ajmal Kasab was the only terrorist who was captured alive. He was hanged four years later on 21 November 2012.
President Draupadi Murmu on Saturday said the nation remembers with gratitude those it lost and paid tribute to the security personnel who fought bravely and made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty.
She tweeted, “On the anniversary of 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, the nation remembers with gratitude all those we lost. We share the enduring pain of their loved ones and families. Nation pays homage to the security personnel who fought valiantly and made supreme sacrifice in the line of duty.”
