The US State Department said that on the 14th anniversary of the Mumbai terrorist attacks, they will continue to work with India and other international partners to bring to justice those who planned and perpetrated the attacks in Mumbai, India on November 26, 2008 that killed hundreds of innocent people, including six American citizens. On this sad anniversary, we pledge our continued partnership with India and other international partners to bring to justice all those responsible for planning and executing these heinous attacks, said Heather Nauert, Spokesperson of the US State Department, while addressing the media at her office in Washington DC yesterday.
1) The United States’ response to the attack
The United States pledged on Thursday that it would continue to work with India and other international partners to bring to justice the perpetrators of the Mumbai attacks.
Antony Blinken, Secretary of State, expressed his deepest condolences to the families and friends of those killed in this act. It is a solemn occasion, but also a time when we reaffirm our solidarity and resolve with our partners in combating terrorism.
The terrorist attack on Mumbai was one of the worst since 9/11. The Mumbai terririst attacks occurred over three days on November 26-28th 2008, with 10 armed gunmen staging 12 coordinated shooting and bombing attacks across Mumbai.
They killed 166 people and injured more than 300 others before police forces killed them at Chowpatty beach. Several blasts took place in luxury hotels, including the Taj Mahal Palace & Tower and the Oberoi Trident Hotel; these were both situated close to each other near Nariman Point.
The Jewish Chabad house nearby Mazgaon Docks; although not part of a main target itself, many hostages taken by terrorists were murdered there as they escaped.
Five-star hotels such as Mumbai’s iconic Taj Mahal Palace Hotel and Nariman House among their targets which came under siege by ten heavily armed terrorists during November 26 – 28 2008 .
Anti-terrorist commandos killed the attackers 18 hours later after intense fighting in two landmark hotels and Nariman House. Authorities said at least 174 people died in the Mumbai terror attacks, while an estimated 308 were wounded.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi led mourners Thursday evening during an emotional ceremony commemorating the 14th anniversary of the mumbai terririst attacks.
The ceremony started at 7 p.m., where participants read out victims’ names from records of slain hostages maintained by Mumbai Police Force and closed their eyes to remember each name, NDTV reported.
Modi addressed relatives of all 166 civilians who died in the carnage unleashed on November 26-28 2008: Together, we make a country.
2) The continuing efforts of the United States and India to bring the perpetrators to justice
On this 14th anniversary of the Mumbai terrorist attacks, Secretary of State Antony Blinken reaffirmed America’s commitment to help bring justice for the victims and survivors.
Deepest condolences offered to the families and friends of victims lost in this horrific act, Secretary Blinken stated in a statement.
The U.S. government has continued to work with India and other international partners over the past decade on bringing those responsible for these attacks to justice.
The United States is working closely with Indian authorities as they conduct their investigation into last week’s attack that killed 18 people at a hotel complex in Mumbai, he added.
In 2004, we obtained a court order freezing assets worth more than $12 million belonging to Dawood Ibrahim Kaskar and his close associates, Blinken said.
It was among the first uses of Section 311 of the Patriot Act, which allows Treasury to designate foreign persons engaged in terrorism and freeze their assets, even if no Americans were harmed by such actions.
The Justice Department filed charges against eight individuals – including Iqbal Mirchi – accused of providing material support or resources to carry out attacks against India or Indians abroad.
The FBI has been working closely with its Indian counterparts to investigate these cases, according to an FBI spokesperson.
A separate joint task force between the FBI and NYPD have brought charges against six individuals – all from Pakistan – accused of plotting an attack on the Hindu temple in New York City .
Last year, Assistant Attorney General Leslie R. Caldwell spoke about how the magnitude of the Mumbai attacks cannot be underestimated. We are concerned about any similar incident happening here, she added, underscoring the need for vigilance.
These words represent just one way to condemn the attacks that took place 12 years ago. We reiterate our condemnation of terrorism in all its forms, Blinken said, whether committed by groups like ISIS or by other violent extremists, like Al Qaeda.
On September 24, 2001- fourteen years ago today-America woke up to news reports of explosions throughout Manhattan and Brooklyn.
At the time it was unknown whether what happened had anything to do with a possible terrorist plot involving hijacked planes crashing into targets within the United States; it turned out not to be true.
But what did turn out true was that on Sept. 27, 2008, 10 Pakistani men were convicted of conspiracy, murder and waging war against India.
And since then there has been many developments: terror suspects arrested, charges laid, investigations launched.
Secreatary Blinken pledged that while many changes have occurred in global dynamics, the United States will always stand with India and take action against those who seek to undermine peace.
He went on to say that the country will continue to provide India with technology, equipment and training to strengthen national security, counterterrorism cooperation and intelligence sharing.
Blinken also said that the United States has urged Pakistan to deny terrorists safe haven and end any support for terrorist groups.
The attacks of November 2008 in Mumbai was a series of synchronized shooting and bombing attacks across the city of Mumbai, India.
The name 26/11 refers to the date on which the attacks were carried out (November 26, 2008).
This event is considered one of the most significant terrorist attacks in recent history.
Ten gunmen attacked various locations in Mumbai for three days (between November 26–28), killing 164 people and wounding 300. Nine of ten attackers were killed by police forces during operations against them.
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