Remembering The Heroes Of 26/11

26th Nov, 2008 witnessed one of the darkest days in Mumbai, that shook the entire country. Ceaseless shooting and bombing attacks took place across Mumbai by members of Lashkar-e-Taiba, killing hundreds and injuring many others. These attacks took place at 8 places in Mumbai(South Mumbai), starting from CST station, The Oberoi Trident, The Taj Mahal Palace, Cama Hospital, Nariman House Jewis Community Centre, the Metro Cinema, a lane behind Times Of India building and St. Xavier’s College. A bomb explosion also occured at Mazgaon and a taxi at Vile Parle.

Several brave men and women came in to save the hostages at different locations. Army and AirForce played a crucial part in saving the captives. They were 10 terrorists and it was no simple task to capture them. However, police inspectors, commandos, firemen and many more stepped into the firing line to save others when terror struck Mumbai.

Out of all the saviours, some died, some survived and others forgotten.Those who stood out because of their noteworthy performance were Shri. Hemant Karkare, Shri. Ashok Kamte, Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan, Shri. Vijay Salaskar, Shri. Shashank Shinde, Shri Bapusaheb Durugade, Shri. Tukaram G. Ombale and Shri. Prakash P. More.

Constable Tukaram Ombale, who got into the police car hijacked by Ajmal Kasab and his fellow terrorist Ismail, was unarmed. He lost his life while holding onto Kasab until others could arrest him. Kasab got arrested but at the cost of Ombale’s death.

Mohammed Ajmal Amir Kasab was the only link connecting to the attacks, held by the police. After 4 years of thorough interrogation, on 21 November, 2012, Ajmal Kasab, the sole surviving Pakistani terrorist was hanged to death at Pune’s Yerawada central prison.

On the first anniversary of the attacks, state paid homage to the victims of the attacks.

Kasab has been hanged, the other 9 were killed, but has JUSTICE been served when the actual perpetuators of the attack are still safe in Pakistan?