India remembers Mumbai terror attack victims on ninth anniversary

Politicians, including President Ram Nath Kovind, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Bollywood celebrities and people across the nation paid rich tributes to the bravehearts who lost their lives in the tragedy.

President Ram Nath Kovind tweeted: "On the ninth anniversary of the Mumbai terror attacks, we mourn with the families that lost their dear ones. And we recall with gratitude the security personnel who gave their lives in the battle against evil #PresidentKovind."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday saluted all those brave women and men who lost their lives in the gruesome 26/11 attacks in Mumbai in 2008.

Addressing the nation through his monthly radio broadcast-'Mann Ki baat', Modi first paid tributes to the makers of Indian Constitution.

Observing the Constitution Day, Modi said: "The makers of our Constitution worked hard to give us a Constitution we would be proud of."

However, he said that how people can forget that on the same day, nine years back, terrorists had launched an attack on Mumbai.

"26/11 marks our Constitution day, however, the nation cannot forget that on the same day nine years back, terrorists launched attacks in the city of Mumbai," Modi said during his 38th Mann Ki Baat address.

"The country salutes all those brave women and men who lost their lives in the gruesome 26/11 attacks in Mumbai," said he.

Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said: "On 26/11/2008 terrorists attacked many places in Mumbai and showed their deplorable cowardice. Let us stand against terrorism and pay tribute to our brave security personnel who sacrificed their lives for our security. We pray for all those who lost their lives in this attack."

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee tweeted: "Solemnly remembering the innocent civilians who lost their lives during the terrorist attack in Mumbai in 2008."

Apart from politicians, Bollywood celebrities also paid tribute to the 26/11 attacks victims.

Actor Rishi Kapoor tweeted: "and the perpetrator’s of this heinous crime which claimed 164 lives still live!"

Posting a video message, actor Anupam Kher posted: "26/11 attacks on our country. #NeverForgiveNeverForget. ."

Actor Suniel Shetty said: "Not just faces & names but sagas of selfless service to the city & the nation! Saluting the martyrs of 26/11 #MumbaiAttacks."

Actress Raveena Tandon posted: "26/11 . Never Forget , Never Forgive . #Justicefor 26/11 . Evil still roams free."

Even common people of India took to social media to remember those who lost their lives in the attacks.

The 2008 Mumbai attacks were twelve coordinated shooting and bombing attacks across Mumbai by members of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).

Ajmal Kasab, the only attacker who was captured alive, later confessed upon interrogation that the attacks were conducted with the support of Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). Kasab was hanged on Nov 21, 2012 at Yerwada Jail in Pune.

The attacks, which drew widespread global condemnation, began on Wednesday, Nov 26, 2008 and lasted until Saturday, Nov 29, 2008, killing 164 people and wounding at least 308.

Eight of the attacks occurred in South Mumbai - at Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, the Oberoi Trident, the Taj Mahal Palace & Tower, Leopold Cafe, Cama Hospital (a women and children's hospital), the Nariman House Jewish community centre, the Metro Cinema, and a lane behind the Times of India building and St. Xavier's College.

There was also an explosion at Mazagaon, in Mumbai's port area, and in a taxi at Vile Parle.

Recently, Mumbai terror attack mastermind Hafeez Saeed, the leader of Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD), walked free from house arrest in Pakistan.

The United States government on Friday said that Pakistan should 're-arrest' Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) founder Hafiz Saeed.

The US has expressed 'deep concern' over the release of the JuD chief.

"The United States is deeply concerned that Lashkar-e-Tayyiba (LeT) leader Hafiz Saeed has been released from house arrest in Pakistan. LeT is a designated Foreign Terrorist Organization responsible for the death of hundreds of innocent civilians in terrorist attacks, including a number of American citizens. The Pakistani government should make sure that he is arrested and charged for his crimes," read the US government statement.

"In May 2008, the United States Department of the Treasury designated Saeed as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist under Executive Order 13224. Saeed was also individually designated by the United Nations under UNSCR 1267 in December 2008 following the November 2008 Mumbai attack in which 166 people, including six American citizens, were killed. LeT and several of its front organizations, leaders, and operatives remain under both State Department and Treasury Department sanctions. Since 2012, the United States has offered a U.S. $10 million‎ reward for information that brings Saeed to justice," it said.

Saeed was quoted in the media as saying, "I fight the case of Kashmiris. I will gather the people from across the country for the cause of Kashmir. And we will try to help Kashmiris get their destination of freedom."

Saeed was placed under house arrest for 10 months.