A Tribute to Mumbai's Bravehearts

As Mumbai came under attack, an awestruck nation watched its bravehearts step up and fight valiantly to save hundreds of innocent lives, sacrificing their own.

Be it the brave NSG commandos, the ATS officials, the valiant policemen or the indomitable hotel staff, they fought in the line of duty in an attempt to save innumerable lives. The valour and heroics of these men redefined the meaning of being a true Indian.

Through this photo gallery, NDTV.com pays a fitting tribute to Mumbai’s saviours.

From left to right:
Ashok Kamte, Additional Commissioner, Mumbai Police, East region
Gajendra Singh, Commando, NSG
Sandeep Unnikrishnan, Major, NSG
Vijay Salaskar, Inspector, Mumbai Police
Tukaram Omble, Assistant Sub Inspector, Mumbai Police
Hemant Karkare, ATS Chief, Mumbai Police

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54-year-old ATS chief Hemant Karkare was among the 14 Policemen killed by Pakistani terrorists during the Mumbai terror attacks on November 26, 2008. A policeman since 1982, Karkare headed the charge at the Cama hospital but could not survive the terrorists’ bullets. His bravery was honoured on January 26, 2009 with the Ashoka Chakra.

Just days before his death, Karkare had received death threats by Hindu radical groups for his involvement in the Malegaon serial bomb blast investigations.

Former Mumbai Police Commissioner Julio Rebeiro stated," Karkare was one of the best police officers in Maharashtra and I dare say in India".(AFP photo)

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Around 10:30 PM on November 26, 2008, Hemant Karkare, Head of Anti-Extortion Cell Vijay Salaskar, and Additional Commissioner , Mumbai Police Ashok Kamte, and others laid down their lives fighting terrorists in a narrow lane between St. Xaviers College and Rang Bhavan, just a stone throw away from the Mumbai Crime Branch office.

They had received information that officer Sadanand Date had been wounded while fighting terrorists at the Cama and Albless Hospital. From C.S.T. station, they took a Toyota Qualis and proceeded in the direction of the hospital. Minutes later terrorists Ajmal Amir Qasab and Ibrahim Khan stepped out from behind a tree and opened fire with AK-47 rifles. Six policemen, other than Constable Arun Jadhav, were all killed quickly in that gunfire.

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Karkare's body was taken in a flower bedecked open van from his home in Hindu Colony in Dadar East to the Shivaji Park crematorium. A crowd of nearly 5,000 lined the three kilometre stretch to pay tributes to the martyr as a police band played along.(AFP photo)

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In a clear message to political leaders, indicating the nation’s feelings, ATS Chief Hemant Karkare's wife turned down the one crore rupees compensation offered by Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi. (AFP photo)

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Head of the Anti-Extortion Cell, Mumbai, Vijay Salaskar also died in the line of duty during the Mumbai attacks, on 26 November 2008. Known widely as an encounter specialist, Salaskar is credited with killing atleast 75-80 criminals in encounters and was honoured with an Ashoka Chakra, for displaying his bravery on the night of November 26, 2008.(AFP photo)

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Salaskar was one of the six policemen gunned down by terrorists while heading towards the Cama hospital to combat terrorists in a Qualis. Around 10:30 PM, they were ambushed by Qasab and his associate Ibrahim Khan who opened fire at the Qualis. Trapped like sitting ducks, the police officers tried to retaliate by gunfire of their own but their police guns were no match for the automatic AK-47 rifles of Qasab and Ibrahim. (AFP photo)

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Vijay Salaskar’s funeral was also attended by family, friends and more than 10,000 other people who offered their respect to the man who gave his life to save theirs.(AFP photo)

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43-year-old Additional Commissioner of Mumbai Police, Ashok Kamthe was the third officer killed in action, in the ambush by Qasab and Ibrahim Khan when they opened fire on the Police Qualis which Kamthe was travelling in towards the Cama hospital along with six other policemen. During this sudden attack, Kamte was the sole officer who managed to retaliate, wounding terrorist Qasab in the arm. Even though he was not able to stop these terrorists, he did die trying.

Known as a daring yet cool headed policeman, Kamthe was one of the most admired police officers of the Mumbai Police force. His bravery was honoured with the Ashoka Chakra on 26 January 2009.

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The body of Additional Police Commissioner Ashok Kamte, was cremated with State honours at the Vaikunth cremotorium on November 27, 2008. A large number of high-ranking police officers participated in the funeral procession, including: Police Commissioner Satyapal Singh, Joint Commissioner of Police Rajendra Sonawane and district collector Chandrakant Dalvi. Around 3,000 people were present.(AFP photo)

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Realising the danger that was looming on Mumbai’s head, a team of NSG commandos was sent into the Taj hotel to rescue hostages and flush out the terrorists. Leading his team of 10 commandos, 30-year-old Major Unnikrishnan sacrificed his life to save an injured fellow commando.

Director General of NSG, J K Dutt stated, “In this hotel, The Taj Heritage, our major Sandeep Unnikrishnan died while saving our havaldar who was injured. The terrorists opened fire and Unnikrishnan was seperated from the rest of the NSG commando team. He died while fulfilling his duty.”(AFP photo)

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A true braveheart and a gutsy commando, 30-year-old Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan upheld the finest traditions of the Indian Army - country first, countrymen next and his own life on last priority while engaging with the terrorists inside the Taj hotel.

While saving an injured commando, Major Unnikrishnan was seperated from the rest of his NSG team when the terrorists opened fire at him. “Do not come up, I will handle them”, were probably the last words which he told his men as he was hit by bullets. Chasing the terrorists all by himself, he was shot from behind and succumbed to his injuries.(AFP photo)

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“Long live Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan” were the chants heard outside his Bangalore house as thousands turned out to pay their homage to the martyr who gave his life to save innocent people at the Taj hotel. Wrapped in the Indian flag and held with full military honours, his funeral was attended by family members, friends, army personnel besides the entire city who mourned in honour of his sacrifice. He was also honoured with an Ashoka Chakra for his exceptional courage and bravery.(AFP photo)

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A retired army personnel and an assistant sub-inspector, 48-year old Tukaram Omble is the reason for the capture of the terrorist Qasab. Giving his life away in the process, armed with just a stick, Tukaram charged towards Qasab while being in the line of his fire. Taking bullets to his abdomen, Tukaram held on to Qasab’s gun and did not let go till he lost his consciousness. This selfless sacrifice gave other policemen enough time to capture Qasab, the only terrorist who was captured alive. Tukaram was honoured this Republic day with the Ashoka Chakra.(AFP photo)

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Positioned on Marine Drive, around 12.45 am on November 27, 2008, he was alerted on his walkie-talkie that two terrorists had hijacked a Skoda car and were heading for Chowpatty.

Just minutes later the car passed by and Omble started chasing it on his motorcycle. The terrorists had to slow down due to a barricade set up by DB Marg police station at the chowpatty signal. Omble overtook their car and stopped in front of it, forcing them to swerve right and hit the divider.

Then Omble sprang towards Qasab, and gripped the barrel of his AK-47 with both hands.Being straight in the line of fire, he took bullets to his abdomen but held on to the gun till he lost consciousness, which likely stopped Qasab from shooting others. Other policemen, who by that time had killed the other terrorist, Ismail, captured Qasab.

His colleague Sanjay Govilkar stated,"All those who were with Omble survived as he stood like a shield."

Another colleague Kadam said, "When we saw that Omble was not letting go of the terrorist's gun, we knew we could not let his sacrifice go in vain. He held on and we completed his unfinished task."(AFP photo)

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36-year-old commando Gajender Singh was part of the team of NSG commandos who were abseiled on the roof of Nariman House in an operation to neutralize terrorists holding at least six hostages inside. Paving the way for others to follow, Gajendra kept on facing bullets fired by the terrorists at him. His sacrifice helped the NSG commando team to secure a dominant position in the encounter.(AFP photo)

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According to JK Dutt, Director General of NSG, Singh was leading one of the teams that entered the building. The team came under intense fire from the terrorists and returned fire, while trying to dominate the situation. The terrorists also hurled a few grenades at the commandos. At this point, Singh had the option of retreating with his team. However, he realized that they had to seize this opportunity to dominate and continued moving ahead. He didn't turn his back to the militants and created a way for the other commandos despite a grenade thrown at him. Despite sustaining multiple bullet injuries while doing so, he moved forward and ultimately succumbed to his injuries, making the supreme sacrifice. This selfless and brave gesture of his ensured that his team secured a dominating position.(AFP photo)

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Gajendra Singh, was brought to Delhi before being taken to his native place Dehradun for the last rites. All ranks and file of the elite force gathered at NSG headquarters in Palam to pay their tributes to the slain commando.(AFP photo)

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It was not just the Mumbai police and the NSG commandos who faced this terror bravely. 60 people had died at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus but the number could have been much higher had it not been for V D Zende, an announcer at the terminal who probably saved thousands of lives after he sensed trouble and kept directing passengers to run out of back exits or to stay inside the train compartments as terrorists indiscriminately kept shooting at people on the platform.

His smart thinking and readyness to fight the terrorists without caring for his life helped save a lot of lives. The terrorists shot at his cabin’s windows but he did not flinch and kept on announcing.

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As said by Zende himself, "The terrorists looked up at our cabin and we wanted to switch off the light so that they would not see us. When I got up to do that, they shot at us. Luckily the bullet went through the glass. We had even planned on what to do if they came in. We blocked the door with chairs and stood on either side. We thought either they'll kill us or we'll knock them out...The terrorists were young men. They looked strong. There wasn't a trace of fear on their faces. They kept shooting calmly".(AFP photo)

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Mumbai 26/11 saw bravery from unsung heroes, who acted in dire hours to save innocent lives from getting exhumed in the terror atrocities. Mumbai’s saviours were not just men in uniform from Mumbai Police, MARCOS, ATS or NSG; there were some ordinary men who showed extraordinary courage at the time of terror.

Be it the Taj Mahal hotel’s maintenance staff Rajan Kamble who did not bother about bullet injuries while saving guests from the dreaded terrorists or a team of security personnel from South Africa holidaying in Taj Mahal who fought terrorists with mere kitchen knives and were successful in enabling escape of numerous hostages through the kitchen door.

Another brave man who showed exemplary courage was Nitin Minocha, a chef at Taj Mahal Palace and Tower Hotel who led more than 200 diners into The Chambers to safety.

Sandra Samuel, a nanny by profession, saved 2-year old Moshe Holtzman from the jaws of terror.(AFP photo)

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Karambir Kang, the GM of Taj Mahal Palace and Tower Hotel who was busy saving the lives of tourists, lost his wife Neeti, and children Uday Kang and Samar Kang to terror. (AFP photo)

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During the chaotic Mumbai terror attacks, ordinary Mumbaikars came together from all walks of life to offer help. A group of young Sikhs offered food and water to security forces battling terrorists at Oberoi and Taj hotels. The chai wallahs chipped in with free food and shopping malls nearby the terror sites helped the media personnel in sending their crucial database to respective sources.

In extraordinary circumstances, these people rose above the stature of mere human beings while serving humanity. Indeed, they are our unsung heroes.(AFP photo)

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12 other security personnel also sacrificed their lives in the line of duty during the attacks. These unsung heroes fought bravely and did not shy away from facing the wrath of the terrorists’ rifles and grenades. Selflessly putting the safety of others over their own, these martyrs will never be forgotten. From left to right:

Ambadas Pawar, Police Constable
Arun Chitte, Police Constable
Balasaheb Bhosale, Asst. Police Sub Inspector
Bapusaheb Durugade, Police Sub Inspector
Jaywant Patil, Police Constable
M C Chowdhary, Police Head Constable, R.P.F.
Mukesh B. Jadhav, Home Guard Constable
Prakash S More, Police Sub Inspector
Rahul S. Shinde, Police Constable, S.R.P.F.
Vijay Khandekar, Police Constable
Shashank Shinde, Police Inspector
Yogesh Patil, Police Constable

Image courtesy: Mumbaipolice.org

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The list is endless…And there are many more names that deserve a mention here.

To all those martyrs to whom India bid a tearful adieu and to those who died as unsung heroes in the line of duty…we say… Thank You…

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