Today marks the 16th anniversary of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, a series of brutal assaults carried out by ten Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists at iconic locations across the city. The attacks, which targeted the Taj Hotel, Oberoi Trident, Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, Leopold Cafe, Mumbai Chabad House, Nariman House, Cama Hospital, and Metro Cinema, resulted in the tragic loss of at least 166 lives, including 26 foreigners and 20 security personnel, while more than 300 others were injured.
As India remembers this dark chapter, leaders from all corners of the nation, from the President to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with citizens, are paying tribute to the lives lost and to the brave heroes who risked everything to save others.
Here are a few of the many courageous individuals whose actions during the 26/11 attacks are etched in history:
Tukaram Omble
Assistant Sub-Inspector Tukaram Omble of the Mumbai Police displayed extraordinary bravery during the attacks. Unarmed, he confronted terrorist Ajmal Kasab, holding onto his rifle despite being shot multiple times. Omble’s sacrifice ensured Kasab was captured alive, which became critical for subsequent investigations.
Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan
Leading an NSG team at the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan was fatally wounded while engaging terrorists. His fearless leadership during the operation earned him the Ashok Chakra, India’s highest peacetime gallantry award.
Hemant Karkare
The Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) chief, Hemant Karkare, was killed in an ambush near Cama Hospital while leading a team to rescue hostages at the Taj Hotel. His courage and commitment to the mission made him one of the many heroes of that tragic night.
Mallika Jagad
Banquet manager Mallika Jagad at the Taj Palace Hotel showed remarkable calmness and quick thinking. She protected guests by locking doors, turning off lights, and keeping everyone calm during the chaos, which ultimately helped save many lives.
Karambir Singh Kang
Despite personal loss, as his wife and sons perished in the attack, Karambir Singh Kang, the General Manager of the Taj, worked tirelessly throughout the crisis, leading evacuation efforts and ensuring the safety of guests and staff.
Thomas Varghese
Thomas Varghese, a senior waiter at the Taj’s Wasabi restaurant, showed exceptional courage. He led guests to safety, ensuring they escaped first, before sacrificing his own life, gunned down by terrorists as he was the last to leave.
The heroism displayed by these individuals and many others during the 26/11 attacks continues to inspire. Their bravery reminds us of the strength and resilience that arose from one of the darkest days in Mumbai’s history.
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