Meet the 9-year-old 26/11 Mumbai terror attack survivor who was shot in leg and identified Ajmal Kasab in court

26/11 Mumbai Terrorist Attack Survivor

Every year, as November 26th arrives, a solemn silence falls over Mumbai. The city remembers the scars of the 2008 terror attacks. But within that memory of pain, there is also a powerful story of a little girl’s incredible courage, a story that continues to inspire the nation.

Devika Rotawan was just nine years old when terror struck Mumbai. On that fateful night, she was with her family, trying to escape the chaos and the sound of gunfire. In the panic, a bullet struck her leg. The physical pain was sharp, but the fear for her family’s life was even greater. Amidst the smoke and confusion, she turned back for a moment. It was in that instant that she saw the face of one of the attackers, a young man with a gun. That face of Ajmal Kasab would be etched in her memory forever.

Time passed. The physical wound on her leg healed, but the memories of that night remained. When the time came for the trial, the court needed witnesses who could identify the captured terrorist. It is a daunting task for anyone, let alone a child. But when asked if she was ready to testify, the little girl did not hesitate.

With a calm strength that belied her age, she stood in the courtroom, pointed towards Kasab, and told the truth. "Yes, I saw him," she stated. Her small, clear voice in that quiet room was not just a testimony, it was an act of immense bravery. That day, she wasn't just a young survivor, she became a symbol of the nation's fight for justice.

In the years that followed, the media spotlight faded. The cameras left, and the promises of support often vanished. Her real journey was not in the headlines, but in her everyday life—balancing the trauma of that night with her schoolbooks, and growing up with the weight of a story that few can imagine.

Today, that young girl has grown into a determined woman. And her life’s goal has been shaped by that one night of terror. She carries a powerful dream: to wear the khaki uniform and serve her country as an Indian Police Service (IPS) officer.

It is her way of transforming her own suffering into a shield for others. She has said she wants to do something for her country and work towards ending terrorism. Her dream is a testament to the human spirit’s ability to turn darkness into light.

Her story teaches us a vital lesson: courage does not depend on age. At just nine years old, she showed the nation that the power of truth is stronger than any weapon of terror. And today, as she works towards her goal, her journey reminds us that the most profound strength is found not in forgetting our pain, but in using it to build a safer, more just world for everyone.