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New Delhi, Nov 25 (IANS) The dome of the Taj Palace against the night sky engulfed in flames and smoke became one of the defining scenes of that November night 17 years ago that added a new chapter to the resilient fight of terror and Indian citizens.
This iconic hotel in Mumbai offers royal views of the Gateway of India and the Arabian Sea, but between November 26 and 28, 2008, it witnessed a brutal picture of inhumanity.
The Oberoi Group-owned luxury hotels, Taj Palace and the nearby Trident, were attacked that night among other targets, with terrorists firing indiscriminately at guests and staff in the lobby, bar and back-of-house area of the latter.
Later at the Taj, they opened fire on guests dining at Tiffin, a popular, informal, contemporary restaurant. Most deaths occurred here.
The Kandahar restaurant located on the upper floor was targeted next. They also threw grenades as the fire broke out, while many guests, including foreigners, were trapped inside. Hostage situations began to emerge.
It was the dedication, patience and determination of the staff, who undergo regular fire drills and are familiar with all the exits, including people like then head chef Hemant Oberoi, that were able to save the lives of at least 200 guests.
Apart from this, the bravery of the security forces and commandos, who entered the hotel and took most of the hostages to a safe place, was also seen. Before the attack on the Oberoi properties, two terrorists had opened fire inside the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CST), one of the city’s busiest railway stations. More than 58 people were killed and 104 were injured in the shooting.
The attackers fled from the spot by joining the crowd. This was followed by reports of attacks on two hotels, Cama in Fort and Albless Hospital, Leopold Cafe in Colaba, while bombs planted in taxis in Wadi Bunder and Vile Parle blew up both areas.
All the terrorists were eliminated except Ajmal Kasab who was captured; Later hanged till death after a long legal process.
Final toll: 166 dead, over 300 injured.
The night cried and the black asphalt roads in many areas of Mumbai turned blood red; This also includes those martyrs who gave priority to duty before self. Those who sacrificed their lives while trying to save others in the line of duty included police officers Hemant Karkare, Ashok Kamte and Vijay Salaskar outside Cama Hospital.
That night a beacon of humanity burned at the Nariman House Chabad center, where Sandra Samuel, an Indian grandmother, carried two-year-old Moshe Holtzberg to safety during the 26/11 terrorist attacks.
Two terrorists attacked Jewish Outreach where Rabbi Gavriel Holtzberg and his wife Rivka, among others, were taken hostage.
Sandra took immediate action to pick up Moshe and leave the building while the siege was still in progress, thus removing him from immediate danger and ensuring that he was not left alone amid the violence.
Despite the terror and confusion around her, she focused on comforting and carrying the child, preventing him from being separated or harmed during the escape.
When rescue workers later entered the Nariman House, they found that Rabbi Gavriel and Rivky had been killed. Moshe’s survival was widely attributed to Sandra’s quick and courageous actions. He protected and cared for him until he was reunited with his family and later relocated to Israel with his ward.
After the attack sponsored and instigated by Pakistan, while the country is remembering the heroes and those killed, now is the time to remember the lines of the posters which read, “Never forget; never forgive.”
–IANS
JB/and