India Reasserts Its Unwavering Stand Against Terror on 26/11 Anniversary

As India observed the 17th anniversary of the 2008 Mumbai attacks, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar reiterated the nation’s uncompromising commitment to fight terrorism in every form. His message, delivered on the solemn occasion of 26/11, underscored that India holds “zero tolerance for terror” and remains determined to pursue justice against every individual involved in the tragedy.

Jaishankar’s tribute acknowledged not only the memory of the victims but also the extraordinary heroism displayed by security forces, hotel staff, and civilians during those dark four days. His words reflect a broader national sentiment—one that refuses to allow the trauma of 26/11 to fade or the pursuit of justice to weaken with time.

November 26, 2025, marks the 17th year since Mumbai terror attacks | NDTV

The 26/11 Attacks: Four Days That Changed India Forever

The attacks that began on November 26, 2008, were unlike anything India had faced before. A group of ten heavily armed terrorists belonging to the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba infiltrated Mumbai through the sea route and launched coordinated strikes across iconic and densely populated locations. The assault targeted the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, the Oberoi Trident, Leopold Café, Nariman House and several other public spaces that symbolized Mumbai’s cosmopolitan spirit.

For four relentless days, the city was held hostage as terrorists engaged in mass shootings, bombings and hostage situations. By the time the siege ended, more than 175 people—including Indian and foreign nationals—had been killed, and hundreds were injured. The magnitude of the attack exposed vulnerabilities in urban security and intelligence coordination, prompting national introspection and global condemnation.

Accountability, Justice and the Aftermath

Of the ten attackers, nine were neutralized by Indian security forces. The lone survivor, Ajmal Kasab, was captured alive in a remarkable act of bravery by Mumbai Police, particularly by constable Tukaram Omble, who sacrificed his life to ensure Kasab’s arrest. Kasab’s trial culminated in a death sentence in 2010 and his execution in 2012.

However, India’s pursuit of justice extended far beyond the courtroom. The attacks prompted systemic reforms in India’s counter-terror architecture. The creation of the National Investigation Agency (NIA), the strengthening of maritime security, upgrades in Special Forces training and amendments to counter-terror laws such as UAPA reshaped India’s response framework. The lessons of 26/11 led to faster coordination between agencies, intelligence modernization, and a nationwide tightening of coastal and urban security.

Why Remembrance Still Matters Today

Seventeen years later, the scars of 26/11 remain etched onto Mumbai’s memory—from the preserved bullet marks at Leopold Café to the rebuilt Nariman House. These markers serve as reminders of both the attack’s brutality and the resilience that followed.

Jaishankar’s renewed call for zero tolerance is a reminder that terrorism remains a global challenge, not a historical episode. Even as geopolitics evolve, the fundamental message remains the same: complacency is not an option, justice is non-negotiable and national security demands constant vigilance. Remembrance strengthens public awareness, reinforces institutional lessons and honors the courage of those who defended the nation.

The MGMM Outlook

India’s remembrance of the 26/11 attacks once again highlights a firm national conviction: the fight against terrorism cannot waver, and justice must extend beyond symbolic gestures. S. Jaishankar’s message on the anniversary reflects a broader sentiment that India continues to carry—the insistence that every perpetrator, planner and enabler behind the Mumbai attacks must be held accountable. The resilience displayed by Mumbai during those four harrowing days, along with the sacrifices of security personnel and ordinary citizens, remains a defining chapter in India’s modern history. It is a reminder that India’s security reforms, from stronger coastal vigilance to empowered investigative agencies, emerged from both loss and learning.

The memory of 26/11 is sustained not just through tributes, but through India’s uncompromising pursuit of counter-terror reforms and geopolitical clarity on the origins of the attack. The scars preserved across Mumbai stand as warnings of the threat that still exists. Jaishankar’s renewed call against terrorism reflects a broader national belief that justice must be relentless and that India’s security framework must continue to evolve. The legacy of 26/11, therefore, becomes a symbol of national resolve—of a country that has endured trauma, strengthened itself in its aftermath and refuses to allow the lessons of the past to fade.

(Sources: NDTV, ANI News)