Bollywood personalities, including Akshay Kumar, Rohit Shetty and Sara Ali Khan, on Friday paid tribute to all those people who lost their lives in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks.
The celebrities took to social media to remember and mourn the martyrs as well as civilians, who died in the attacks.
Mega star Amitabh Bachchan in an Op-ed for the Indian Express said every year as he marks the day, he discovers that the power of survival is linked to the power of humanity, of “our collective commitment that we shall not let the terrorists define who we become”.
Kumar called the Mumbai terror attacks “horrific” as he gave a shout out to all those involved in keeping the country and its people safe.
“It’s been 13 years since the horrific #MumbaiTerrorAttack. Remembering all those who lost their lives and loved ones. My heartfelt tribute to all the bravehearts who sacrificed their lives safeguarding our city,” the 54-year-old star tweeted.
Shetty, who has several helmed films in his cop universe including the latest Sooryavanshi, Simmba and Singham franchise, took to Instagram to hail the spirit of the Mumbai Police and its personnel.
“@mumbaipolice We will forever carry their unyielding spirits in our hearts. Their sacrifice will always be remembered,” he said.
Sara Ali Khan posted a photo on her Instagram Stories of Taj Mahal hotel, one of the places attacked by the terrorist during the 26/11 terror attacks.
“The martyrs will be remembered @mumbaipolice,” the actor wrote.
Actors Abhishek Bachchan, Shilpa Shetty and filmmaker Onir also observed the day. “26/11 #NeverForgetRemember our heroes. Folded hands#JaiHind,” tweeted Abhishek Bachchan.
Shetty said she is praying for the “departed souls” and also the people whose lives were “changed, affected and altered” on the fateful night.
“May their loved ones find peace, strength and the ability to heal,” she wrote on her Instagram Stories.
Onir said he hasn’t forgotten the “horrific day”. “Sitting in the news room in Delhi with the cast of #sorryBhai. My film was releasing the next day. First was told it’s a gang war and then the truth surfaced. What devastating days. #26/11 #neverforget” he tweeted.
On November 26, 2008, 10 Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists from Pakistan arrived by sea route and opened fire, killing 166 people, including 18 security personnel, and injuring several others during the 60-hour siege in Mumbai.
The attacker hit different places including Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, the Oberoi Trident, the Taj Mahal Hotel, Leopold Cafe, Cama Hospital and the Nariman House Jewish community centre.
Besides civilians, the then Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) chief Hemant Karkare, Army Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan, Mumbai’s Additional Police Commissioner Ashok Kamte, Senior Police Inspector Vijay Salaskar and Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Tukaram among others were killed during the attack.
Actors Ranvir Shorey and Richa Chadha also remembered bravehearts who laid down their lives during the attacks.
“Never forgive. Never forget. #MumbaiTerrorAttack,” Shorey tweeted.
Chadha retweeted a post by former Indian cricketer Wasim Jaffer, which read, “Remembering the exemplary courage and supreme sacrifice of our bravehearts today #NeverForgiveNeverForget #MumbaiTerrorAttack.”