Mumbai, Nov 26: The Mumbai terror attack of November 26, 2008, also known as the 26/11 attack, remains one of the darkest chapters in India's history. The attack not only shattered the sense of safety in India’s financial capital but also left a permanent scar on the collective memory of Mumbaikars and the nation at large.
The assault, executed by the Pakistani militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba, claimed the lives of more than 150 people, including several senior Mumbai police officials. It took three harrowing days for the city to regain a semblance of normalcy, but the trauma and loss were etched into the fabric of the city forever.
Here is a detailed timeline of the horrific events that unfolded on that fateful night:
Terrorists Land in Mumbai (8:10 pm): Ten terrorists, part of the Pakistani group Lashkar-e-Taiba, arrive by boat and begin their coordinated attack on South Mumbai.
Simultaneous Attacks (9:20 pm): Terrorists target key locations, including the Taj Mahal Hotel, Trident Hotel, Nariman House, Leopold Café, and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CST), killing over 150 people.
CST Attack (9:30 pm): Ajmal Kasab and his accomplice open fire at CST railway station, killing 58 people in a brutal shooting spree.
Police Officers Killed (10:30 pm): Senior Mumbai police officers, including Hemant Karkare, Vijay Salaskar, and Ashok Kamte, are killed while attempting to intercept the terrorists near Cama Hospital.
Taj Mahal Hotel Siege (11:00 pm): Four terrorists take hostages inside the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, triggering a prolonged standoff with police and Special Forces.
NSG and Army Rescue Operations (November 27-29): The National Security Guard (NSG) and Indian Army join forces to neutralize the terrorists, free hostages, and end the siege at the Taj and Trident hotels.
End of the Siege (November 28-29): After three days of intense combat, all terrorists are eliminated from the hotels and Nariman House, with Kasab being the only one captured alive.
