On the 17th anniversary of the Mumbai terror attacks, the nation pauses to honour the 166 lives lost and the extraordinary bravery displayed by security personnel and civilians alike during the three-day siege that shook India. (Photo: X) On 26 November 2008, 10 operatives from the Pakistani terrorist organisation Lashkar-e-Taiba infiltrated Mumbai via the sea route. They then fanned out across South Mumbai, launching coordinated assaults with automatic weapons and grenades at multiple landmarks. (Photo: X) The attacks left more than 300 injured in addition to the devastating death toll. The response to the terror was defined by countless acts of valour. Among the most poignant stories of sacrifice is that of Assistant Sub-Inspector Tukaram Omble of the Mumbai Police. (Photo: X) Manning a checkpoint at Girgaum Chowpatty, Omble, armed only with a lathi, confronted terrorist Ajmal Kasab. When Kasab opened fire, Omble, despite being hit by multiple rounds, held fast to the barrel of the attacker’s rifle, allowing his colleagues to subdue and capture Kasab alive. (Photo: X) His action provided intelligence agencies with a critical breakthrough. Omble was posthumously awarded the Ashoka Chakra. (Photo: X) Courage was not confined to the security forces. Hotel staff at the Taj became unsung heroes, prioritising the safety of their guests above their own. Mallika Jagad, the hotel’s banquet manager, swiftly locked doors, turned off lights, and calmly reassured panicked guests until help arrived. (Photo: X) Seventeen years may have passed, but the memory of the 26/11 attacks remains indelibly etched in the national consciousness. (Photo: X) As tributes pour in, the day stands as a sombre reminder of the human cost of terrorism and the enduring spirit of those who faced it with unyielding courage. (Photo: X)