Mumbai terror attacks: Remembering the heroes of 26/11

Twelve years have passed since the horrific 26/11 terror attacks in Mumbai that claimed the lives of about 200 persons, including security personnel, civillians, and hotel staff.  The terrorists targeted the world heritage building, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT), Hotel Taj Mahal Palace & Tower, Hotel Trident, Nariman House, Leopold Café, Cama & Albless Hospital and there were two bomb explosions - in Wadibunder and Vile Parle where bombs were planted in taxis. It was only because of the efforts of police, armed police, Marine commandos of the Indian Navy and the NSG that the victory over the merchants of death was possible. Let us take a look at some of the bravest who put the safety of others before their own: 

Among the many brave soldiers there were four unsung heroes who saved a lot of lives during that attack. The four furry friends and heroes Max, Tiger, Sultan, and Ceaser, were sniffer dogs from Mumbai Police’s Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad who saved countless lives by detecting bombs with their sharp sense of smell. Pic credit: Twitter

ATS chief Hemant Karkare was having his dinner when he was called to inform about the 26/11 terror attack. He went to the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus at once and joined his colleagues in the operation. He defended Mumbai till his last breath until terrorists Kasab and Ismail opened fire outside the Cama Hospital. In 2009, he was posthumously given the Ashoka Chakra, India's highest peacetime gallantry decoration.

Senior police office Ashok Kamte was the third brave life lost along with Karkare and Salaskar outside the Cama Hospital. He was posthumously awarded Ashok Chakras for his bravery and dedication to defend the city of Mumbai until his dying breath. Credit: flickr

Encounter specialist Vijay Salaskar was killed by bullets fired by Kasab as per his confession post-capture. He was awarded Ashok Chakra posthemously for the gallant act.

It was because of assistant sub-inspector Tukaram Omble's selfless sacrifice that Kasab became the only terrorist from the attacks to be captured, and later, hanged. In an act of unparalleled bravado, he did not let go of Kasab despite being shot over 40 times. Credit: Twitter

Team commander of 51 Special Action Group, Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan defended his fellow commandos and guests trapped in the Taj Hotel until he was shot dead. His reported last words,

Karambir Singh Kang, the general manager of the Taj hotel, supervised the evacuation of guests from the hotel despite losing his own wife and son who were trapped in the hotel's 6th floor.

Two-year-old Moshe Holtzberg was saved from the terrorists who attacked the Nariman House and killed many including his parents because of his nanny Sandra Samuel.

Mallika Jagad, who was a 24-year-old Assistant Banquet Manager of the Hotel at the time of 26/11, led about 60 guests to their safety. Along with the other staff, Jagad locked the banquet doors, turned off the lights, and asked the guests to remain silent, until they were spotted by the fire crew and helped to escape through the window. Parallelly, in the hotel's Japanese restaurant Wasabi, senior waiter Thomas Varghese evacuated all his guests and was the last person to leave, but was shot before reaching safety. Credit: TEDxIIFTDelhi