The 2008 Mumbai attacks, commonly referred to as 26/11, were a series of coordinated terrorist attacks that occurred in Mumbai, India, from November 26 to 29, 2008.

• Ten gunmen affiliated with the Pakistan-based militant organization Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) carried out the attacks.
• The attackers arrived by sea and targeted multiple locations across Mumbai, including luxury hotels (Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, Oberoi Trident Hotel), a Jewish community center (Nariman House), and the iconic Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) railway station, among others.

Casualties and Damage – The attacks resulted in the deaths of 166 people and injured over 300. The gunmen engaged in prolonged gun battles with Indian security forces and held hostages at various locations.

Timeline and Response – The attacks began on the evening of November 26, 2008, and continued for approximately 60 hours. Indian security forces, including the National Security Guard (NSG), Mumbai Police, and Marine Commandos (Marcos), responded to neutralize the attackers and rescue hostages. The operations involved significant challenges due to the complexity of urban warfare and the multiple locations under siege simultaneously

International Ramifications – The attacks drew global condemnation and raised concerns about terrorism, security, and state-sponsored extremism. India accused Pakistan of harboring and supporting the attackers, leading to strained diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Investigations and Trials – The Indian government conducted extensive investigations to identify the perpetrators and their backers. David Coleman Headley, an American of Pakistani origin, and Tahawwur Rana were linked to aiding the attackers and faced legal proceedings in India and the United States.

IMPACT ON INDIA:

• The Mumbai attacks prompted India to bolster its counter-terrorism measures, including intelligence sharing, security infrastructure improvements, and strategic responses to future threats.
• It highlighted vulnerabilities in India’s coastal security and underscored the need for comprehensive national security reforms.

Legacy and Lessons Learned – The attacks left a lasting impact on India’s security policies and international relations, emphasizing the ongoing threat of terrorism and the imperative of global cooperation in combating it. They serve as a pivotal case study in understanding the complexities of transnational terrorism, intelligence failures, and the challenges of urban security.

NEWS OVERVIEW:

• Rana, a Pakistani-origin Canadian businessman, is facing extradition under the U.S.-India extradition treaty based on India’s establishment of probable cause for his role in the attacks.
• Court Proceedings: Assistant U.S. Attorney Bram Alden argued in a U.S. Court of Appeals that Rana is extraditable, despite Rana’s appeal against a previous denial of habeas corpus.