Seventeen years have passed, but the wounds remain fresh as India observes the solemn anniversary of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks. The nation collectively remembers the devastating four-day siege that began on November 26, 2008, when Pakistani-backed terrorists launched coordinated assaults across India's financial capital.
Bollywood Pays Emotional Tributes
Prominent figures from the Indian film industry joined citizens in paying heartfelt tributes to the victims and martyrs. Akshay Kumar made a powerful statement on X, formerly Twitter, writing: "Never forgive, never forget. Jai Hind. #26/11."
Several other celebrities showed their respect through social media platforms. Veer Pahariya, Zoya Akhtar, and Akshay Oberoi shared the Mumbai Police's tribute post on their Instagram stories, while Vikrant Massey expressed his emotions by commenting with a folded hands emoji and a red heart symbol on the same post.
Heartfelt Messages Remember the Fallen
Actress Isha Koppikar shared a particularly emotional tribute that captured the nation's sentiment. "Today, my deepest condolences to the martyrs of 26/11 and Pahalgam," she expressed. "I am overwhelmed remembering their affected families. Their pain, sacrifice and courage remind us to become better humans and better Indians every day."
Koppikar emphasized that India will never forget the ultimate price paid by the security personnel and civilians. She honored the brave souls in uniform with touching words: "Some heroes wear uniforms… and they never fade from history." The actress also mentioned her participation in a tribute ceremony at the Gateway of India.
The Horrific Events of 26/11
The nightmare began on the night of November 26, 2008, when terrorists arrived in Mumbai via sea routes. What followed was a meticulously planned attack that lasted over 60 hours, with multiple locations across the city becoming battlegrounds.
The coordinated assaults resulted in numerous deaths and injuries, shaking the entire nation to its core. During the counter-terrorism operation, nine members of Lashkar-e-Taiba were killed, while one attacker, Ajmal Kasab, was captured alive.
Kasab's capture provided crucial evidence of the attack's origins. He was sentenced to death in May 2010 and executed two years later in Pune, bringing some measure of justice to the victims' families.
As India marks 17 years since that dark chapter, the memory of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack continues to serve as a stark reminder of the challenges facing national security and the incredible resilience demonstrated by both security forces and ordinary citizens during those terrifying days.
