New Delhi: It was the 16th anniversary of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks on Tuesday, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi took the opportunity to pay homage to the victims of the dreadful crime.
Speaking on the occasion of Constitution Day celebrations in the Supreme Court, Modi warned terrorist organisations who dare to challenge the security of India will get a ‘befitting reply’.
“At a time when we are commemorating this crucial festival of democracy, we cannot forget that today is also the anniversary of the terror attack in Mumbai. I pay homage to those who lost their lives in this attack. I reiterate the country’s resolve that every terrorist organisation challenging India’s security will be given a befitting reply,” Modi said.
Ten armed militants from Pakistan-based terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba sneaked into Mumbai via the sea route and carried out a series of coordinated attacks at Taj Mahal Hotel, Oberoi Trident Hotel, Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, Leopold Cafe, Mumbai Chabad House, Nariman House, Cama Hospital and Metro Cinema.
At least 166 people, including 20 security force personnel and 26 foreigners, were killed and over 300 injured on November 26, 2008 in what was one of the worst terror attacks carried out on Indian soil.
The Modi government, which came to power five-and-a-half years after the Mumbai terror attacks, carried out an airstrike in Pakistan’s Balakot in February 2019 less than two weeks after 46 CRPF personnel were killed in a suicide bomber attack in Jammu & Kashmir’s Pulwama.
