The 26/11 Mumbai attacks, one of the most horrifying acts of terrorism in Indian history, took place in South Mumbai. The Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, Oberoi Trident Hotel, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj (CST) Railway Station, and Nariman House were among the prominent targets of a series of coordinated attacks by ten armed militants from the Pakistan-based terrorist organization Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).
They managed to enter the city by sea. Over 300 people were injured during the nearly four-day-long, vicious attacks, which claimed 166 lives, including 18 security personnel. Let us pay tribute to our departed heroes on the sixteenth anniversary. Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan, born on March 15, 1977, in Kozhikode, Kerala, joined the 51 SAG NSG on January 20, 2007. In honor of his valor, Major Sandeep received the Ashoka Chakra posthumously.
Tukaram Omble, an Assistant Sub-Inspector, seized Kasab’s rifle and managed to capture him. But could not survive because of many shots. For his brave deed, he received the Ashoka Chakra posthumously.
Hemant Karkare, the former head of Maharashtra’s Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), was killed outside Cama Hospital in south Mumbai, which is about ten minutes’ drive from CST station. Prior to being named ATS Chief, Karkare was the Mumbai Joint Commissioner (Administration) and had served in RAW and at the Indian consulate in Austria. Terrorists Ajmal Kasab and Abu Ismail opened fire on their Toyota Qualis.
Ashok Kamte, the Mumbai Additional Commissioner of Police (Eastern) while sitting in the front seat of the police SUV. He was posthumously awarded the Ashok Chakra for his bravery.
Vijay Salaskar led the Mumbai Anti-Extortion Cell before his martyrdom. During the 26/11 assaults, Ajmal Kasab killed Salaskar while he was driving the Qualis with Karkare and Kamte. In addition to being martyred with them, he received the Ashok Chakra for his valor after his death.
