Mumbaikars, state leaders and foreign diplomats unequivocally condemned terrorism and violence on Tuesday, which marked the 16th anniversary of the 26/11 terror attacks. The metropolis will never be able to forget the dreaded memory of 10 armed terrorists sneaking into the city and carrying out an onslaught, which left 166 people dead and over 300 injured in 2008.
Maharashtra Governor C P Radhakrishnan and caretaker Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Tuesday paid floral tributes to the security personnel, who laid down their lives in the line of duty while shielding people. Deputy CMs Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar also paid homage at the martyrs' memorial in the premises of the police commissioner office in south Mumbai. Family members of the martyred policemen also remembered the bravehearts.
Offering tributes, the US Ambassador to India, Eric Garcetti, said that the US pledges to continue the fight against acts of terror with India. In a post on X, he said, “Today marks the 16th anniversary of the 26/11 terror attacks in Mumbai. We honour the memory of the victims lostand pledge to continue the fight against acts of terror together with the Government of India”
Earlier in the day, the Consul General of Israel for Midwest India in Mumbai, Kobbi Shoshani, paid his tribute to the martyrs at Nariman House.
Remembering when he came to Colaba a few days after the attacks, he said, “I still remember the ammunition smell. It was very terrible. The aim of the terrorists was not to kill people, they wanted to create fear and break the economy.” He added, “When I see full restaurants and people walking, buying, shopping and roaming freely, I feel this is the biggest victory against terrorism. I fully understand that we won against terrorism. India won against terrorism.”
The terrorists, who were backed by the Pakistan-based terrorist group Lashkar-eTaiba, had stormed into multiple high-profile locations, including the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, Oberoi Trident Hotel, CSMT and Nariman House.
