166 people died and more than 300 people were injured in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack
In one of the most horrific terrorist attacks on the soil of India, 166 people were killed and over 300 were injured when ten heavily-armed terrorists from Pakistan ran a rampage in Mumbai nine years ago. In less reflective of accounts of the tragedy, it would be known as India's 9/11 moment.
As a people, however, India emerged more resolute and less accepting of incidents of senseless violence that had one aim: to strike fear. In that, by most accounts, the Hafiz Saeed-led Lashkar-e-Taiba and their Pakistan-based backers that set out to bring a society to their knees, failed decidedly.
Here are the updates from the 9th Anniversary of 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks:
"We remember all the victims of 26/11. Love to their families and friends who lost so much to hatred and violence." Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi tweeted.
"To the 166 lives lost...to over 239 injured...to the innumerable memories etched on the firmament forever and to Mumbai, the city which picked up its pieces and started stronger than ever - A Salute and A Bow of Gratitude from Mumbai Police!" the Mumbai Police tweeted.
Maharashtra Governor C Vidyasagar Rao, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and a few state ministers laid wreaths at the police memorial in South Mumbai this morning and observed silence in memory of the bravehearts who laid their lives in the 2008 attack.
Arun Jaitley took to Twitter to call the 26/11 terror attack "deplorable cowardice", while urging people to stand against terrorism and pay tribute to the security personnel who lost their lives as well as the victims.
The newly appointed US ambassador to India also wrote a message on the anniversary of the deadly attack.
"I went into depression after the incident, my relatives had no chance to escape. Happy that perpetrators were either killed or punished. Hafiz Saeed is in Pakistan,would be ideal if Indian Government gets him here and punishes him," said Rahim Ansari, who lost six of his relatives in the attack.
Devika, a survivor from the terror attack, said "When I saw Kasab in the courtroom I was livid. I wished I had a gun in my hand, would have shot him there. Anyway Kasab was a mosquito, hope someday the big terrorists are brought to book."
Carrying on, the Prime Minister added "Terrorism is the biggest threat to humanity. Not only is it a threat to India, but to countries across the world. The time has come for the world to unite and defeat the menace of terrorism." His remarks come a few days after
Pakistan released terrorist Hafiz Saeed, who is accused of masterminding the 26/11 terror attack.
"India will never forget the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks. We salute all those brave women and men who lost their lives in the gruesome 26/11 attacks in Mumbai." Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on his
monthly radio programme Mann Ki Baat.
"Grieve with the families of victims of Mumbai terror attacks this day 26/11 , 2008. Masterminds of terror still lurk in our neighbourhood!" Kapil Sibal wrote.
The Congress tweeted saying they stand in solidarity with the families of the victims and survivors from the "dark day in India's history".
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis pays his tributes to the victims of the 26/11 terror attack.
President Ram Nath Kovind paid his tribute to the victims of the 2008 terror attack. Taking to Twitter, he wrote "On the ninth anniversary of the Mumbai terror attacks, we mourn with the families that lost their dear ones. And we recall with gratitude the security personnel who gave their lives in the battle against evil."