15 Years Of 26/11: Remembering Horrific Mumbai Terror Attacks

15 years have passed since the profound terrorist attacks that shook Mumbai, India financial hub, on November 26, 2008, commonly known as 26/11. Orchestrated by a group of 10 terrorists affiliated with the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terror group, these coordinated assaults wreaked havoc on Mumbai streets, leaving an enduring impact on the nation and the world.

The night of November 26, 2008, saw LeT terrorists infiltrating Mumbai, where they carried out a four-day rampage, claiming the lives of 166 people and injuring 300. The targets, meticulously chosen for maximum impact, included the Taj and Oberoi Hotels, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, the Jewish center at Nariman House, and the Leopold Cafe, frequented by Europeans, Indians, and Jews.

The nine LeT terrorists met their demise during the attacks, while Mohammad Ajmal Amir Qasab, the sole surviving Pakistani terrorist involved in the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus railway station attack, was apprehended. In May 2010, Qasab received the death penalty and was hanged two years later in a maximum-security prison in Pune.

The scars left by this tragic event persist in the memories of those who witnessed it, and the lessons learned remain paramount for global security.

On the 15th anniversary of the terror attacks, Israel has officially designated Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) as a terrorist organization. Notably, this action was taken independently, without any formal request from the Indian government. The Israeli Embassy stated that all necessary procedures have been completed to declare LeT a terror outfit. Israel only lists organizations actively operating against it or in a manner similar to globally recognized entities by the UNSC or the US State Department.

Israel Ambassador to India, Naor Gilon, commended the decision, considering the ban on Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) as the "right thing." He emphasized that Tel Aviv had independently decided to ban LeT several months ago after discovering its absence from the list of terrorist organizations in Israel.

In a parallel commemoration, a day-long poster exhibition was organized at the Broken Chair in front of the United Nations in Geneva. Priyajit Debsarkar, a human rights activist and author, noted that the exhibition aimed to honor the lives lost during the Mumbai terror attacks 15 years ago.

Every year on this day, the nation reflects on and remembers the individuals and security forces who sacrificed their lives in the fight against terrorism.