Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India]: Remembering the victims of the 26/11 terror attack, Consul General of Israel for Midwest India in Mumbai, Kobbi Shoshani paid his tribute to the martyrs on Tuesday at Nariman House in Mumbai.
Remembering when he came to Colaba a few days after the attacks, he told, “I was sent here at Nariman House in Colaba 2-3 days after the event took place here. I still remember the ammunition smell. It was very terrible.”
He further said that the terrorists wanted to create fear and break the economy, however as he sees the bustling restaurants, he sees a victory against terrorism.
“When I see full restaurants and people walking, buying, shopping and roaming freely, I feel this is the biggest victory against terrorism. The aim of the terrorists was not to kill people, they wanted to create fear and break the economy but when I see restaurants, shops and people at the train stations and other places, I fully understand that we won against terrorism. India won against terrorism,” he told ANI.
Shoshani also paid his tribute to the martyrs at Leopold Cafe in Mumbai earlier, one of the places of the attacks.
Earlier, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, and Deputy Chief Ministers Ajit Pawar, Devendra Fadnavis and Governor C P Radhakrishnan also paid floral tributes to the bravehearts at the Martyrs Memorial in Mumbai.
Eknath Shinde, in a post on X highlighting the tribute made by him and DyCMs earlier today.
“Remembrance of Sacrifice.. Salute to the martyrs who sacrificed their lives in the terrorist attack on 26 November 2008 by offering floral wreath at the Martyr’s Memorial,” read his post on X.
Deputy CM Ajit Pawar in his post said, “In Police Commissioner’s office area in Mumbai. Governor C P Radhakrishnan, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and along with Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, paid tribute to the martyred police officers and enforcers in the 26/11 terror attack, and saluted their memory.”
Union Home Minister Amit Shah also called Terrorism a blot on the entire human civilisation, and said that India a world leader in anti-terrorism initiatives.
“Terrorism is a blot on the entire human civilization. The Modi government’s ‘zero tolerance’ policy against terrorism has been appreciated by the entire world and today India has become a world leader in anti-terrorism initiatives,” Amit Shah’s post on X said.
Today is the 16th anniversary of the 26/11 terror attacks, one of the places of the attacks was Leopold Cafe.
Taj Hotel, Nariman House, Oberoi Trident Hotel and Chhatrapati SHivaji Terminus were some of the other places which were targeted by Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists.
Notably, at least 174 people, including 20 security force personnel and 26 foreigners, were killed and more than 300 injured in the attacks.
During the attack on Leopold Cafe, atleast 10 people were killed and many others injured when the terrorists fired indiscriminately.
Soon after the attack, the cafe even resumed its operations, serving their signature dishes and drinks to locals and tourists alike, showcasing the popularity of the spot.