On this day 12 years ago, Mumbai witnessed one of the worst ever terror strikes in the history of India. On that fateful day, 10 terrorists stormed multiple landmark locations across the city, claiming 166 lives and leaving over 300 injured.
The Nariman House, which hosted the Jewish outreach group Chabad Lubavitch, was also targetted. Israeli Rabbi Gavriel Holtzberg and his wife Rikvah were killed in the attack. The couple's son Moshe, then two years old, remains one of the victims who survived the dreadful tragedy.
The attack sites included the Oberoi Hotel and the Leopold Cafe, areas which were commonly frequented by foreign nationals. The entire police force was deployed all across the city at full strength to regain control over these sites.
As the attacks continued to break out near the Times of India Office, the Vidhan Sabha and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) office, the rescue workers quickly began operations to help victims. The deceased were moved out, while aid was provided to those wounded in the terror attack.
Besides popular hotels and restaurants, the terrorists also attacked the GT and Cama hospitals. Brave doctors and other medical staff put up a fight and tried to save as many patients as possible by locking them in at a safe place.
Foreign nationals and visitors, who were not held hostage, were quickly evacuated from the attack sites. A team of the Mumbai Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) quickly took control of the situation.
The Mumbai Police and Mumbai ATS also got help from the Indian Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) soldiers, who joined them for the counter-attack. A police officer is seen here monitoring the situation outside Nariman House.
The next point of attack was the iconic Taj Mahal Palace and Tower hotel located at Colaba in South Mumbai. A total of six explosions were reported from the hotel, thus leading to a major fire over the building.
As police forces reached the site, it was learned that the attackers had taken many hostages. Among those trapped inside were members of the European Parliament.
As the fire engulfed the top floor of the Taj Mahal Hotel, fire brigade personnel were brought to the scene to help douse the fire. Blasts had occurred in the hotel's lobby, two elevators, and three in the restaurant.
The firefighters not only helped douse the fire but also helped with the rescue operations at the Taj Mahal Hotel. Many of the employees and guests, who were stuck inside the hotel, were evacuated from the windows.
Many people who were stuck inside the hotel adopted ingenious methods such as using curtains and rods to escape from the attack site. The injured were given immediate first aid.
Photos from outside of the Taj Mahal Hotel served as a symbol of the horror that had ensued on the fateful day of November 26, 2008.
After a night of rigorous operations, members of the Indian National Security Guard rested for a moment at a monument outside the Taj hotel. Many security personnel had also suffered injuries during the attack.
Following persistent efforts, hostages, who included many foreign nationals, were finally set free.
Smoke billows out of the Taj Mahal Hotel. Fear and anger had seeped through the masses after the terror attack.
Bravehearts among the security forces who lost their lives in the attack included Vijay Salaskar, Ashok Kamte, Hemant Karkare and Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan among countless others.
The dastardly attack began on the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT). Being one of the world's busiest train stations, the terrorist managed to rampantly kill hundreds of people. Police officials walking through the station to assist survivors.
The sole terrorist who was caught alive was Ajmal Amir Kasab. Kasab revealed that the attackers were members of the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba outfit. While Kasab was hanged to death on 21 November, 2012, the group's ringleader and the mastermind behind India's worst terrorist attack, Hafiz Mohammed Saeed, continues to live in his home country, Pakistan.
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