Details
Raju Vernekar
vernekar.raj@gmail.com
“While 12 years have passed by after the deadly 26 November 2008 Mumbai terrorists attack, in which 166 people (including 19 security personnel and 24 foreigners) were killed and nearly 300 persons were injured, the suspected mastermind of the attack, Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi, a leader of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) is still at large.”
“Pakistan security agencies had arrested Lakhvi, on December 08, 2008, after carrying out raids on “Jamaat-ud-Dawa” offices across Pakistan. The Islamabad-based Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) granted the post-arrest bail to Lakhavi and other accused and set them free on December 18, 2014. Subsequently, Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) appealed in the Islamabad High Court seeking cancellation of the bail, but it was not cancelled. Lakhavi is still scot-free. Besides, LeT top commanders Sajid Mir alias Sajid Majeed and Yusuf Muzammil, accused in the attack are also still at large.”
“According to “Castellum.AI”, a New York-based regulatory technology company, the name of Lakhavi, did not figure in the list of wanted accused, released by Pakistan in 2018. The “Castellum AI’s report also stated that the list which initially carried about 7,600 names of the accused was subsequently reduced to 3,800. The “Castellum AI’s report was widely circulated in media on April 21, 2020.”
“On September 04, 2019, Indian Union Ministry for Home Affairs declared the accused Lakhvi, fugitive gangster Dawood Ibrahim, Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar, and Lashkar-e-Taiba founder Hafiz Muhammad Saeed, as individual terrorists.”
“Another accused Pakistani-Canadian Tahawwur Hussain Rana was arrested in 2009 on the charges of plotting the 26/11 terror attack and was sentenced to 14 years of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release by U.S. District Judge Harry Leinenweber in 2013. He is set to be released in December 2021. After his release, he may be extradited to India. Yet another accused David C. Headley, a Pakistani American, was sentenced in a U.S. federal court to 35 years in prison in January 2013 after he pleaded guilty in 2011 in helping the terrorists plan the attacks.”
“Ten terrorists, came from Karachi and reached Mumbai, after high jacking a boat near Porbander (Gujarat) and killing its owner. As they neared Mumbai, they used inflatable dinghies and reached the coast near Badhwar Park in South Mumbai. No sooner they landed, the terrorists armed with automatic weapons and hand grenades targeted civilians at various sites including the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj railway station, Leopold Café, Cama Hospital, and a theatre.”
“While most of the attacks ended within a few hours after they began at around 9.30 PM on November 26, the terror continued to unfold at three locations where hostages were taken—the Nariman House, where a Jewish outreach center was located, and the luxury hotels Oberoi Trident and Taj Mahal Palace & Tower in South Mumbai.”
“By the time the standoff ended at the Nariman House on the evening of November 28, six hostages, as well as two gunmen, were killed. At the two hotels, dozens of guests and staff were either trapped by gunfire or held hostage. Indian security forces ended the siege at the Oberoi Trident around midday on November 28 and at the Taj Mahal Palace on the morning of the following day.”
“Nine of the attackers were killed by police, while lone survivor Ajmal Kasab, who was caught alive by Assistant Police Inspector Tukaram Omble ( who sustained 40 bullets fired by Kasab yet captured him and eventually died ) was hanged after a prolonged trial on November 21, 2012, at 7:30 AM. and buried at Yerwada Jail in Pune in Maharashtra. Omble was awarded the Ashok Chakra posthumously, by the Government of India in 2009.”
“In all 175 persons were killed, who included 9 terrorists, 13 foreign guests staying in different hotels, 22 Indian guests residing in hotels, 5 foreign tourists, 6 members of ultra-orthodox Jewish Chabad movement, 19 police personnel including NSG commandos, 25 hotel employees, 5 state government employees, and 71 persons on-road/ railway station.”
“The persons of different nationalities who were killed included 5 from Israel, one Mexican Israeli, 3 Germans, 2 each from Australia, Canada, USA, and France, and one each from Japan, Singapore, Italy, UK, Malaysia, Netherlands, and Mauritius.”
“Now authorities are emphatic that there will not be a repeat of 26/11 at any cost. Defence spokesman Commander Mehul Karnik, quoting Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral MS Pawar, said that the Indian Navy together with all stakeholders is prepared to defeat every threat of terrorism at sea or from the sea. While assuming the charge as Chief of Staff, Eastern Naval Command, Pawar recently stated that “I want to assure the country that Indian Navy together with all stakeholders is prepared to defeat every threat of terrorism at sea or from the sea”.”
“By now most of those who suffered or family members of those killed in the attack have reconciled to the situation, although sad memories linger on.”
“Vaishali Omble (daughter of slain police officer Tukaram Omble) said that “Government has given us franchise of a CNG station in Borivali. But we are operators and not the dealer. I conduct coaching classes for children online from home, while my sister is working in the state sales tax department. The Mumbai police personnel inquire about our well-being from time to time. That gives us great solace. Every life is precious. As such everyone must contribute towards nation-building. There is some security improvement, but it needs improvement.”
“Devika Natwarlal Rotawan, who was 9 years old then, was shot in her foot by Kasab, at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Railway Terminus, disabling her permanently. She is 22 years old now. She was the youngest witness in the trial, who had come with crutches, in June 2009 before designated judge M L Tahilyani, at the special court at the Arthur Road Central Prison. She had boldly identified Kasab.”
“Devika said that “ we are staying on rent in a small room in Subhash Nagar, Bandra East in northwest Mumbai. I stay with my father and younger brother. My mother passed away in 2006. One of my elder brothers runs a grocery shop in Pune, while another brother Jayesh (26) suffers from permanent backache”.”
““I am studying for the first year of B.A. at Chetana College, at Bandra. I lost two years due to a TB ailment earlier. I am still suffering from that ailment and required to spend huge money for my treatment. I want to complete IPS and become a police officer. We are from Pali in Rajasthan. We want a bigger house. Both Maharashtra and Rajasthan Government had promised to give us a flat. However, nothing worked out”.”
“Bharat Gujjar (an employee of Leopard Café injured in the attack) said “ Long history is over. Now everything is normal at Leopold Café. However this year due to COVID 19, there is a heavy reduction in the number of visitors to our Cafe. I reside at Colaba in a rented house with my family who includes my wife, three children and my aged mother”. Bharat (45) who was badly injured in a terrorists’ attack spent many years in J J Hospital. Nine pieces of grenades exploded by the terrorists are still embedded in his body. A compensation of Rs. 1.50 lakh was given to him by the Maharashtra government in addition to free medical treatment at J J Hospital. The Tata Trust also extended financial help.”
