Ten Years After 26/11 Attack

November 26, 2008. It was Mumbai’s longest and darkest night. Ten terrorists held the city hostage for 60 hours. One hundred and sixty-six people were killed, another 300 plus injured and almost every Mumbaikar was scarred for life. But then, there was strength, resilience and hope, too. On the tenth anniversary of the 26/11 attacks, a look at how the tragedy affected and changed Mumbai.

- Dnyanesh Jathar

45 minutes at Cama Top cop Sadanand Date recounts his encounter with Pakistani terrorists Ajmal Kasab and Abu Ismail at Cama Hospital, Mumbai November 26, 2008. It was around 9.45pm. I had just finished dinner, and was about to go to bed. My wife was watching a cricket match on TV. I told her that I was calling it a day. As I was heading to the bedroom, the TV flashed reports of firing at multiple places in south Mumbai. I immediately realised that my day was far from over.

I told my wife that I was going back to the office. I called my driver and operator, changed into uniform and messaged my boss, K.L. Prasad [then joint commissioner of police, law and order]. I asked him if I was expected at the place of firing or at my regional HQ [Date was additional commissioner of police, central region of Mumbai; the attacks were in south region]. He told me to rush to the spot near Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT), where the firing was going on.

My residence fell under the jurisdiction of Malabar Hill police station. So, I left home with my standard issue pistol and went to the police station to collect automatic weapons and bulletproof vests. While I was at the police station, I heard two blasts. Soon, a message came in about a bomb explosion at the US consulate. Since the consulate fell under Malabar Hill police station, I rushed there. Once there, we realised that no blast had taken place; wireless reports confirmed that it was a rumour.

So, we went to south Mumbai, towards Metro Cinema, near CSMT. As I was heading to Metro Cinema square, I heard over the wireless that attackers had opened fire at CSMT and moved on towards the Times of India building and Gokuldas Tejpal (GT) Hospital. At Metro Cinema square, I left my car. I thought it was better to take stock of the situation and walk to GT Hospital.