Mumbai | Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday paid floral tributes at the city police headquarters to those who made the ultimate sacrifice while fighting terrorists during the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks.
Deputy CM Ajit Pawar and state minister Ashish Shelar also paid tributes at the martyrs' memorial on the premises of the Police Commissioner's Office in south Mumbai. Maharashtra Director General of Police Rashmi Shukla, Mumbai Police Commissioner Deven Bharti and other officials were also present.
Family members of the policemen who lost their lives during the terror attack also paid homage to the fallen heroes on the occasion.
As many as 166 people lost their lives and more than 300 were injured after 10 terrorists from Pakistan launched simultaneous attacks in several parts of Mumbai on November 26, 2008.
The armed militants of the Pakistan-based terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) entered the city via the sea and carried out a series of coordinated attacks at multiple high-profile locations, including the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, Oberoi Trident Hotel, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) railway station, and Nariman House.
The attacks prompted global condemnation and led to significant changes in India's counter-terrorism measures.
Several people also paid homage at CSMT, Cama and Albless Hospital and other locations which were targeted by the Pakistani terrorists.
They also paid respects at "Prerana Sthal", the statue of Assistant Sub Inspector Tukaram Ombale, who fought with terrorists with a lathi and was killed while catching alive terrorist Ajmal Kasab at Girgaon Chowpatty.
In the evening, the National Security Guard (NSG) has organised a commemorative "Neverever" memorial and pledge gathering at Gateway of India, in which family members of the victims will also participate along with the citizens of Mumbai.
In a statement posted on X, the US Embassy in India said it honors the memory of the victims and stands in solidarity with the survivors and families.
"The United States has long supported India's efforts to ensure those responsible for these attacks are brought to justice," it said, noting that the US extradited Tahawwur Hussain Rana to India this year for his role in planning the horrific attack which claimed the lives of six American citizens among others.
"Rana's extradition is a critical step toward seeking justice for the victims who were killed in the heinous attacks and their families. As we remember the victims of 26/11, we reaffirm our determination to continue to fight against acts of terror together with the Government of India to ensure the safety and security of our citizens," the US Embassy said.
