On 13th anniversary of Mumbai attack, tributes pour in for martyrs

India paid homage to those who laid down their lives while fighting against the terrorists who attacked Mumbai on November 26, 2008, where 166 people were killed.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also joined the nation in remembering the martyrs.

On November 26, 2008, 10 Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists from Pakistan arrived by sea route and opened fire, killing 166 people, including 18 security personnel, and injuring several others during the 60-hour siege in Mumbai.
On November 26, 2008, 10 Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists from Pakistan arrived by sea route and opened fire, killing 166 people, including 18 security personnel, and injuring several others during the 60-hour siege in Mumbai. Photo courtesy: Pixabay

Shah said a grateful nation will always be indebted to the sacrifices of those who died and called the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks a “cowardly” act, the Hindustan Times reported.

“Heartfelt tributes to those who lost their lives in the Mumbai 26/11 terror attacks”, the home minister tweeted.

He hailed the courage of the security personnel who faced the terrorists following the terror attacks. “The whole nation will be proud of your bravery. A grateful nation will always be indebted to your sacrifice,” the Home Minister said.

Rahul Gandhi also paid tribute to the martyrs, while sharing a short Hindi video on Twitter,“Salute to the heroes of 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks. Jai Hind.”

Former Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad also paid his tributes to those who had lost their lives during the attacks.

The martyrs' memorial has been relocated from the original site at Police Gymkhana in Marine Drive to the police headquarters at Crawford Market because of the ongoing work on the Coastal Road project, an official said.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, who is recuperating in a Mumbai hospital after spine surgery, also remembered the 26/11 martyrs, news18 reported.

Several other actors like Akshay Kumar, Ranvir Shorey, Anupam Kher and other Bollywood celebrities paid tributes to those who lost their lives in the Mumbai attacks.

Taking to his Twitter handle, Akshay paid tributes to those who lost their lives in the horrific incident. "It’s been 13 years since the horrific #MumbaiTerrorAttack. Remembering all those who lost their lives and loved ones. My heartfelt tribute to all the bravehearts who sacrificed their lives safeguarding our city," he wrote.

Ranvir Shorey wrote, "Never forgive. Never forget. #MumbaiTerrorAttack." The veteran actor who worked in the film 'Hotel Mumbai' dropped a video on his social media and condemned the terrorist attack. 

Filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar tweeted, "Heartfelt tributes to all the innocent civilians whom we lost in the barbaric 26/11 #MumbaiTerrorAttack and to all our real HEROES who sacrificed their lives."

Several other sportspersons also took to Twitter to offer their tributes to the martyrs.

"We will never forget this day, we will never forget the lives lost. Sending my prayers to the friends and families who lost their loved ones," tweeted Virat Kohli.

"13 years since the sad day. He is of the greatest son of our soil- Shaheed Tukaram Omble. The courage, the presence of mind and the selflessness demonstrated by him on that day- no words,no awards can do justice. Dandavat pranam hai aise mahaan insaan ko," tweeted Virender Sehwag.

On November 26, 2008, 10 Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists from Pakistan arrived by sea route and opened fire, killing 166 people, including 18 security personnel, and injuring several others during the 60-hour siege in Mumbai.

A number of police officials had also lost their lives in the attack. The then Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) chief Hemant Karkare, Army Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan, Senior Police Inspector Vijay Salaskar, Mumbai's Additional Police Commissioner Ashok Kamte, and Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Tukaram Omble were some of these to have been martyred in the attack.

The terrorists had targeted a number of famous spots in the city, namely: The Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, the Oberoi Trident, the Taj Mahal Hotel, Leopold Cafe, Cama Hospital and the Nariman House Jewish community centre, now renamed Nariman Light House.