It's been four years since the city of Mumbai was mauled by terrorists on November 26, 2008. Ajmal Kasab, who along with nine other gunmen were responsible for the death of 166 innocent people during the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, was hanged on November 21, 2012 at the Pune Yerwada jail. We take a look at the unforfunate terror attack which has been forever etched in our memories as one of sorrow and loss.
The attack began at Colaba's Leopold Cafe, which is a very a popular tourist hangout. Eleven people, including two foreign nationals were killed here.
The Mumbai Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus railway station was another landmark targeted by the terrorists. However some were lucky when railway announcer Vishnu Zende stayed put at his desk and used the public address system to save lives.
After the CST station assault, the gunmen moved to the nearby Cama and Albless Hospital, that is a maternity and child healthcare centre. Women in labour were locked in operation theatres and egged on to deliver by doctors, while gunshots and grenade blasts rocked the premises.
The terrorists also held siege at the posh Taj Mahal Hotel & Palace at Colaba. Several guests were held hostage and scores were shot dead. Karambir Kang, the hotel's general manager, lost his wife and two children in the attacks
The terrorists also attacked Nariman House (also known as Chabad House) that was the headquarters of the Jewish Chabad movement. The rabbi, his wife and other guests were killed but baby Moshe and his nanny managed to escape
Anti Terrorism Squad chief Hemant Karkare is seen here getting ready to take on the terrorists. However he was gunned down later with his colleagues Ashok Kamte and Vijay Salaskar by Kasab and his accomplice near Cama Hospital.
For nearly four days, journalists from all over the world gathered near the Taj to give a minute-by-minute account of what was happening at the terror site.
Around 150 NSG commandos were flown to Mumbai from Delhi to combat the terrorists.
Baby Moshe, whose parents were killed in the attack at Chabad House, now lives with his grandparents and nanny in Israel.
A tourist being rescued out of the Taj. Reports suggest that the terrorists were particularly harsh on foreigners
Mumbaikars came on the streets to help each other in this time of crisis. They served food and donated blood for victims of the tragedy.
The NSG commandos finished off the terrorists at the Taj in clinical fashion and won the respect of the nation.
Major Unnikrishnan was a young soldier who sacrificed his life to save an injured fellow commando and the Taj hostages
The entire country saluted Ashok Kamte, Vijay Salaskar, Hemant Karkare, Sandeep Unnikrishnan, Tukaram Omble and Gajendra Singh who laid down their lives fighting for India. Ombale braved the bullets to ensure Ajmal Kasab was caught alive.
