President Droupadi Murmu on Wednesday paid tribute to the soldiers who laid down their lives protecting the public during the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, saying the nation will always remember their supreme sacrifice.
The 26/11 attacks, also known as the 2008 Mumbai attacks, were a series of 12 coordinated terrorist strikes carried out from November 26 to 29 by 10 members of the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba. A total of 175 people were killed, including nine of the ten attackers, 26 foreign nationals and 20 security personnel. One attacker, Ajmal Kasab, was caught alive and later executed.
In a post on X, President Murmu said: “On the anniversary of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, I pay my humble tribute to the brave soldiers who sacrificed their lives to protect the people of our country. The nation remembers their supreme sacrifice with gratitude. Let us reaffirm our commitment to combat terrorism in all forms. Let us move forward together on the path of progress with a resolve to build a stronger and more prosperous India.”
Union Home Minister Amit Shah also posted on X, offering his tributes to those who lost their lives.
“On this very day in the year 2008, terrorists carried out a cowardly attack on Mumbai and committed heinous and inhuman acts. I pay my respects to the brave soldiers who sacrificed their lives while bravely facing the Mumbai terrorist attacks, and I offer my tributes to all the people who lost their lives in this cowardly attack,” he wrote.
Reiterating the Modi government’s stance on terrorism, Shah added: “Terrorism is not a curse for just one country, but for the entire human race. The Modi government’s zero-tolerance policy against terrorism is clear, which the entire world is appreciating and providing broad support to India’s anti-terrorism campaigns.”
Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, remembering the victims, said: “On this very day in 2008, we lost many of our loved ones due to the cowardly acts of terrorists in Mumbai, but our valiant sons responded to the terrorists with indomitable courage and valour. Every Indian will forever remain indebted to the sacrifice of our brave sons. Today, India stands united and strong against terrorism with a ‘zero tolerance policy’ and is firmly committed to eradicating terrorism from its roots.”
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also wrote on social media: “Heartfelt tribute to all innocent citizens and brave security personnel who sacrificed their lives in the cowardly terrorist attack in Mumbai on 26/11! The nation will never forget their sacrifice.”
He added that “new India” is united in its resolve to eliminate terrorism in all its forms.
Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, also paid homage to the victims, saying India would never forget their courage and sacrifice.
“My humble tribute to the brave soldiers and common citizens who were martyred in the cowardly terrorist attack in Mumbai on 26/11. India will never forget their courage, sacrifice and martyrdom,” he posted on X.
(IANS)