26/11: Two years on, united against terror

On Wednesday night, November 26, 2008, Mumbai became the target of a ferocious terror attack. Two years later, India stands united against terror, more determined to get the perpetrators of the attacks punished. On the second anniversary of 26/11, people from all walks of life came together to remember and pay homage to those who were killed in the attacks, and to salute the courage and unity of all those who laid their lives to save innocent people. “We will never succumb to the designs of our enemies,” was the strong message from Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

On Wednesday night, November 26, 2008, Mumbai became the target of a ferocious terror attack. Two years later, India stands united against terror, more determined to get the perpetrators of the attacks punished.

On the second anniversary of 26/11, people from all walks of life came together to remember and pay homage to those who were killed in the attacks, and to salute the courage and unity of all those who laid their lives to save innocent people.

“We will never succumb to the designs of our enemies,” was the strong message from Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

Family members of Nurulislam Sheikh, who was killed at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST), hold candles as they take part in a rally to pay tribute to the martyrs of 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks on its 2nd anniversary, near Xaviers College in Mumbai on Thursday. (PTI Photo)
People light candles to pay tribute to the martyrs of 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks on its 2nd anniversary, near Xaviers College in Mumbai on Thursday. (PTI Photo)
As his tribute to the victims of 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, sand artist Sudarshan Pattnaik creates a sand sculpture at Puri beach of Orissa. (PTI Photo)

People light candles during an all-religion prayer organised to pay tribute to the martyrs of 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks on its 2nd anniversary in Jammu. (PTI Photo)
The illuminated Taj Hotel on the second anniversary of 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks in Mumbai on Thursday.

After the 26/11 attacks the hotel's interiors were charred. Its walls were marred by bullet holes and grenade blasts, its corridors were soaked in blood. The hotel has now been renovated back to full glory. (PTI Photo)
Marking the second anniversary of the 26/11 terror attacks, Maharashtra Police on Friday took out a parade in south Mumbai beginning from Oberoi Trident Hotel, one of the sites of the deadly strikes.

The parade displayed advanced anti-terror combat vehicles and weapons procured by the state police following the terror attack.

Teams from Force One, Quick Response Teams and Mumbai police participated in the parade.

Union Home Minister P Chidambaram paid tributes to those killed in the 26/11 terror attacks by laying a wreath at the martyrs' memorial at south Mumbai's Police Gymkhana.

Family members of many of those killed also attended the programme. Chidambaram and others observed a minute's silence.

The Union Home Minister also interacted with the family members of the martyrs and enquired about their well-being before he went to review the advanced security weapons and vehicles procured by the city police.
As part of a series of events planned across Mumbai, school students from the city came to the Trident Hotel to show solidarity with Mumbai's citizens. They were holding a 1.3-km long banner, which read 'The Great Wall of Mumbai'.