Six years on, Mumbai attacks survivors won’t be ‘beaten back by terror’

Published November 26, 2014
People walks outside the Chhatrapati Shivaji train station, one of the sites of the 2008 terror attack, in Mumbai on Nov 26, 2014. – AP
People walks outside the Chhatrapati Shivaji train station, one of the sites of the 2008 terror attack, in Mumbai on Nov 26, 2014. – AP

MUMBAI: India on Wednesday marked six years since militants stormed Mumbai in three days of horror that left 166 people dead, as survivors said they would never be “beaten back by terror”.

Families of victims and politicians laid flowers and wreaths at sites around the city to remember those slain in 2008 when militant gunmen stalked luxury hotels, a popular cafe, a train station and a Jewish centre.

“Today, as we remember the horror of the terror attack in Mumbai in 2008, we feel the endless pain of lost lives,” Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a speech at a regional summit in Kathmandu.

“Let us work together to fulfil the pledge we have taken to combat terrorism and transnational crimes.”

Live television footage was beamed around the world as commandos battled the gunmen, who arrived by sea on the evening of November 26. It took authorities three days to regain full control of the city.

India says the attacks were carried out by Pakistan-based militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), an accussation Islamabad rejects.

Tense relations between the rival neighbours hit a fresh low as New Delhi pressed Islamabad to bring the alleged masterminds to justice.

Sourav Mishra remembers enjoying a beer with two friends at Leopold Cafe, a popular haunt for foreign tourists, when a grenade exploded at the next table and the militants opened fire.

“Something went off with a flash close to my table and the guy there crumpled,” Mishra told AFP.

“I was sipping beer one moment and then death had become a very real possibility as blood soaked my clothes,” said Mishra, who suffered shrapnel and a bullet wound.

At the Chabad House Jewish centre, another high-profile target where six people were killed, an official said its reopening in August showed its community would “never be beaten back by terror”.

“Followers of the movement passing through here have been lighting a single candle for the past week in remembrance of the people slain in this disaster,” Naftali Charter, head of security at the centre, told AFP.

A memorial for all of the victims of the Mumbai attacks is being built on the centre's roof and will be “finished shortly”, Charter said.

Opinion

Editorial

Out of control
Updated 19 Feb, 2025

Out of control

AS bodies continue to fall in Kurram despite a state-sanctioned ceasefire, one wonders how long local militants’...
Hollow words
19 Feb, 2025

Hollow words

IT is not uncommon for politicians to resort to the use of hyperbole in order to boost their public standing. ...
Migration matters
19 Feb, 2025

Migration matters

THE grass, it seems, did appear greener on the other side to millions of people as evidenced by the latest UN ...
Cholistan project
Updated 18 Feb, 2025

Cholistan project

GPI goals align with Pakistan's broader economic aims but the manner in which the initiative was launched raises questions.
Right to know
18 Feb, 2025

Right to know

IT is an unfortunate paradox that while on paper Pakistan has some of the most impressive right to information laws,...
Dam dispute
18 Feb, 2025

Dam dispute

THE situation in Chilas needs attention and a fair-minded approach so that it can be resolved amicably. Diamer ...