26/11 Mumbai terror attacks: Nation remembers victims as President Murmu, Rahul Gandhi offer tributes; Amit Shah reiterates zero-tolerance stand
India marked the 17th anniversary of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks with emotional tributes, as national leaders honoured victims and heroes while reaffirming a unified, zero-tolerance stance against terrorism.
Tributes to the victims of the 2008 Mumbai attacks were paid by the nation on the 17th anniversary of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks today, as senior leaders including the President, PM and Congress leaders once again reiterated India(BHARAT)’s resolve to fight terrorism.
President Droupadi Murmu, in a statement, said: “On the anniversary of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, I pay my humble tribute to the brave soldiers who sacrificed their lives to protect the people of our country.” She added that the bravery of our security forces and their courage “must inspire our nation to move forward together on the path of progress” with a renewed determination to combat terrorism.
On the anniversary of 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, I pay my humble tribute to the brave soldiers who sacrificed their lives to protect the people of our country. The nation remembers their supreme sacrifice with gratitude. Let us reaffirm our commitment to combat terrorism in all…
— President of India(BHARAT) (@rashtrapatibhvn) November 26, 2025
Union Home Minister Amit Shah, in a X (formerly Twitter) post, pledged that the government’s stand on terrorism was one of “zero tolerance” and he paid homage to the victims of the 2008 Mumbai terror attack “unhesitatingly”. He wrote: “The cowardly attack was carried out by terrorists who were the personification of the extreme — they were inhuman to the core. They came here and did many inhuman and heinous acts”. He added that he was paying “special tribute to the brave security forces personnel who laid down their lives in the line of duty” while also “paying homage to the civilians who were killed and injured” in the attacks. Terrorism, he added, was “a curse not for just one country but for the entire human race.”
वर्ष 2008 में आज ही के दिन आतंकियों ने मुंबई पर कायराना हमला कर वीभत्स और अमानवीय कृत्य किया। मुंबई आतंकी हमलों का डटकर सामना करते हुए अपना बलिदान देने वाले वीर जवानों को नमन करता हूँ और इस कायराना हमले में अपनी जान गँवाने वाले सभी लोगों को श्रद्धांजलि अर्पित करता हूँ।
आतंकवाद…
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) November 26, 2025
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, also paid tributes to the victims of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks. He said the “sacrifice, courage and martyrdom” of the security forces and ordinary citizens would not be forgotten. “India(BHARAT) will never forget you”, he added.
मुंबई 26/11 के दुस्साहसी आतंकी हमले में शहीद हुए वीर जवानों और आम नागरिकों को मेरी विनम्र श्रद्धांजलि।
भारत उनका साहस, त्याग और बलिदान कभी भूल नहीं पाएगा। pic.twitter.com/3hxz17CyDV
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) November 26, 2025
The Night That Scarred Mumbai Forever
The terror attacks, which began on the evening of 26 November 2008 and continued over four days, were carried out by 10 Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists who had landed by sea in Mumbai. Over several nights and a day, they conducted coordinated shootings and bombings across prominent targets, such as the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel and the Oberoi Trident Hotel; the railway hub at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT); Nariman House, which became the Jewish centre’s main site during the attacks; the iconic Leopold Cafe; Cama Hospital; Metro Cinema and other crowded public spaces. The toll of the attacks was more than 166 dead and around 300 wounded, with 175 fatalities cited including the attackers.
The 26/11 attacks left an indelible mark on the city, evoking tales of extraordinary bravery in the face of terror. Among these was the valiant stand by Assistant Sub-Inspector Tukaram Omble, who gave his life trying to capture the sole surviving terrorist Ajmal Kasab, who was later hanged to death in jail in 2012.
Legacy of pain, courage
Every November 26 brings back painful memories of that night, but also of the courage and fortitude of those who rose to the challenge. The physical reminders of the attacks are still evident in many places, especially in South Mumbai, whether in the bullet-riddled walls of buildings in and around Taj and Oberoi hotels and Cama Hospital or in memorial plaques and other tributes around the city.
The tone set by the political leadership from both the government and the main opposition party in their statements today – from Murmu, Shah and Gandhi – was of solidarity. The message was a common one: such senseless violence would not succeed in breaking the will of India(BHARAT) and her people but would instead strengthen their resolve to protect every citizen and work to build a better, safer nation. As the nation pauses to honour the memory of those who lost their lives in the 26/11 attacks, the regular outpouring of tributes from the top leaders of government and opposition also sends a clear signal to terrorists and all who seek to challenge India(BHARAT)’s resilience.
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