Remembering Mumbai Attack On 26th November 2008

Pakistan has not reconciled itself to living with India as a peaceful and friendly neighbour. It has been attempting to create situations that pose serious and consistent challenges to India’s internal security.Their evil designs have resulted in unwanted wars in 1948,1965,1971 and 1999

India aided independence of the erstwhile East Pakistan leading to creation of Bangladesh and Demolition of the Ram Janma Bhumi-Babri structure at Ayodhya appear to have re-ignited fire and hatred against India. Promotion of terrorism in India gradually became a significant national policy of Pakistan, irrespective of change in her political leadership.

Successive civilian and military regimes in Pakistan have been led by a misconceived and misconstrued notion that their strength, continuance and overall stability depends on their ability to spread the tentacles of state sponsored terrorism across their borders.

BOMBAY BLASTS OF 1993

The game plan of Pakistan to plan and execute activities to destabilise received impetus when Ram Janma Bhumi- Babri structure was attacked and demolished on 6th December 1992. A well planned strategy to divide and destabilize India was drawn by Pak I.S.I. Apart from attack on Hindu temples both in Pakistan and Bangladesh, communal riots were instigated and engineered in several parts of the country.

On 12th March,1993, Bombay was rocked by serial bomb blasts leading to death of 257 innocent persons, serious injuries to about a thousand and destruction of public and private property. Before the country could recover from the shock of such a magnitude, almost simultaneous bomb blasts, once again planned and executed by ISI, took place in several trains on 6th December,1993. It coincided with the first anniversary of demolition of the structure at Ayodhya.

OTHER MISDEEDS OF PAKISTAN

Several other acts of disturbance followed in nooks and corners of the country at regular intervals. Beant Singh, the Chief Minister of Punjab and 16 others were brutally killed in broad daylight at Punjab Secretariat by a human bomb. The country’s capital witnessed not less than 17 bomb blasts during 1997-98. Some other states of North India too could not remain unaffected by the senseless violence perpetrated by Pakistan.

ANTI- NATIONAL ACTIVITY TRAINING

Intensive training for carrying out subversion and sabotage began to be organised by ISI for the disgruntled, ignorant and misguided youth residing in Punjab, J & K, North East as well as abroad. Leaders of Sikh and Kashmir militant outfits based in Pakistan also had to undergo rigorous training like other trainees. Regular supply of arms, ammunition and improvised explosive devices was ensured from across the border. ISI began spreading its network even in interior places so that it could motivate the Muslim youth in general and entrust them with specific tasks.Fresh networking and alignment between Sikh, Kashmiri militants and North East insurgents was also attempted.

DEMOLITION OF AYODHYA STRUCTURE

Demolition of a disputed structure at Ayodhya on 6th December, 1992 proved an important turning point in the contemporary history of the country. It not only exposed the fragility of our social structure but it also posed fresh challenges to the internal security situation. Reason and rationality took a back seat and a foreign intelligence agency was immensely successful in disturbing communal harmony, more so, in those pockets, wherein Muslims had to struggle for a living and had neither the means nor desire to educate their off-springs.

ATTACK ON MUMBAI (26th November, 2008)

On the night of 26th November 2008, financial capital of India, Mumbai was trapped in a nightmare. Ten fully armed suicide bombers of Laskar-e-Toiba entered the metropolis from Pakistan by sea route and launched senseless attacks in South Mumbai. Prior to entry ,they had hijacked a mechanised boat and killed four persons therein.One person was spared as he was to be utilised as a guide.

Gunshots echoed in iconic landmarks – Taj Mahal hotel, Chattrapati Shivaji Terminus and Oberoi Trident hotel.Explosions also ripped through Nariman House, Leonard cafe and Cama hospital. All one could hear were gunshots and sirens from Police cars and ambulances. Initially Mumbai Police tackled the terrorists cum suicide bombers.Later National Security Guard and Army took over.

PERSONS KILLED & INJURED

Mumbai was rocked for 60 hours or four days (upto 28th November). 175 persons were killed including 18 policemen and 300 were injured.Two IPS officers Hemant Karkare, IGP (without a bullet proof jacket)and his DIGP also figured in the list of martyrs.Another IPS officer, Vishwas N.N.Patil, Addl. DGP, was one of the first few officers to enter the Taj Mahal Hotel during its seize with his service revolver without wearing a bullet proof jacket, when attackers were wielding A.K.47 Rifles.He received President’s Police Medal for bravery.

Similarly another officer Sri Govilkar, an Inspector held on to Kasab after chasing terrorists and puncturing a hijacked Skoda vehicle.He too got a bullet injury. However, before he was admitted to a hospital, six of his colleagues had lost their lives. But it was Arun Yadav, a constable, while risking his life, showed tremendous presence of mind by informing the Police Control Room about the attacks at two to three places.

AJMAL KASAB, CRUCIAL CATCH

Nine terrorists were killed in different parts of city and one of them, Md. Ajmal Amir Kasab was captured alive by Tukaram Omble, ASI of Mumbai Police with the help of only a Lathi(long stick). Omble himself was killed when hit at point blank range by 40 bullets. As his bravery turned out to be a beacon of hope, he was given Ashok Chakra, highest peacetime gallantry award, posthumously.

Another person to receive this honour again posthumously was Major Unnikrishnan of NSG, who fought valiantly with terrorists during operation at Hotel Taj Mahal.

Though many dedicated countrymen suffered, got injured and also gave their lives, one girl of nine or eleven years, a nurse of Cama Hospital and a Caretaker of Nariman House(an Israeli home) deserve to be mentioned.

Devika Rotawan became the youngest survivor of the terror attack at Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus station. Being only twenty feet away from Kasab, a bullet pierced into her leg. But she showed rare bravery while describing the blood shed at the station caused by two terrorists and in identifying cruel Kasab in Court in 2009.

Similarly, Ms. Anjali, Senior Nurse of Cama Hospital showed fantastic presence of mind in huddling together 20 pregnant women in one small room of 10×10′ when terrorists jumped into the hospital compound. In addition, she escorted a woman in labour pain through the stairs to the Labour room. Taking a lift would have been very risky as gunshots were being heard and grenades were being thrown almost non stop. The pregnant woman safely delivered a baby girl who was appropriately named ‘Goli’.

Mrs Sandra Samuel, an Indian Nanny at Nariman House (Chabad House) Colaba too showed remarkable courage in saving and rescuing Moshe, a two year old Israeli baby, whose parents fell to the bullets of two terrorists – Abu Umar and Babar Imran. Altogether six Israeli nationals lost their lives inside the house.

MASTERMIND OF ATTACK

Hafiz Muhammad Saeed, who was released from an Indian jail in exchange of 150 captive passengers of Indian Airlines flight number IC, 814 (Kathmandu-Delhi), was identified as the mastermind of the heinous attacks.An Islamic preacher and a militant leader based in Lahore, he is a co founder of Lashkar-e-Toiba. He is India’s most wanted terrorist and a Global Terrorist designated by USA with ten million dollars on his head.

For many years India has asked Pakistan to hand him over for his involvement in 13th December 2001 attack on Indian Parliament, 2006 train bombings and 26/11 attack on Mumbai but lack of Extradition treaty between two countries comes in the way. He escaped a massive bomb blast outside his house at Johar Town, Lahore on 23rd June 2021 in which three persons were killed.Pakistan had suspected it to be an India planned attack.Voice of Hafiz as also of some of his LeT colleagues were heard by policemen and commandos when long operation was on at Hotel Taj.

COURAGE & SACRIFICE OF TAJ EMPLOYEES

Not to be forgotten, officers and employees of the hotel showed exemplary patience and courage in saving the life of inmates. Many employees also lost their lives. The management gave ample compensation and support to affected families.Inspite of it six American guests were butchered by the terrorists.The personnel of Taj hotel received indomitable support from Ratan Tata, Chairman, Tata Sons ,who was supervising and observing the whole operation from nearby.It was a rare display by a corporate head.

TO CONCLUDE

Memories of the brutal bloodbath from 26th to 28th November, 2008 will linger on.Horror generated by this unprecedented tragedy may continue to haunt the relatives of the persons who sacrificed their lives in the service of the nation.Scars of Devika Rotanian, Moshe, two year old Israeli child, his Nanny Mrs.Samuel, and surviving policemen & commandos may remain.It is not easy to forget the ghastly episode so easily.

Menace of cross border terrorism continues unabated in spite of best efforts put in by BSF, ITBP, SSB and other forces guarding the borders.Pakistan continues to push terrorists into India, despite barbed wire fencing and Cease Fire.Since 2021 alone 33 militant attacks have taken place in Jammu region.

Once a relatively safe area, Bangladesh too may resume giving shelter, sanctuary and training to terrorists and insurgents . It may be in view of a change of guard, unexpected rise in anti-Hindu sentiments and growing dominance of BNP, religion centred elements and student activists in new dispensation in Dhaka.

(The author is former Chief Secretary of Sikkim)