Remembering the Martyrs of 26/11 Mumbai Terror Attacks - A Timeline

Mumbai: Breaking News! A proud nation pays homage to its martyrs, who laid down their lives, while fighting to save the pride and honour of the country on November 26, 2008. While remembering the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, let's pay tribute to 174 people, who died in the attacks and salute the 12 policemen from Mumbai Police and 2 NSG Commandos, who became martyrs.

Breaking News online gave blow-by-blow accounts of 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks over the period of Nov 26 - Nov 30, 2008. We have listed the timeline of our articles here for the benefit of our readers, who want to recall what happened a year ago. Visit the entire Archives of November 2008 here...

November 26, 2008- 10:37 PM: On the fateful night of 26/11, 2008, Breaking News Online became the first news portal on the Web to report the news of firing at CST, Taj Oberoi. The incident occurred at between 9:45 PM and 9:50 PM and we published the first news article at 10:37 PM. At that time, nobody sure what was going on. It was reported a gang war in the beginning.

November 26, 2008 - 11:12 PM: Within 30 minutes, the picture was clear. The terrorists from Pakistan, had launched the most daring attack on the financial hub of the country. We then published another news at 11:12 PM, saying "Mumbai is under siege! 60 killed and 200 injured in the series of terror attacks in the city".

Taj Hotel, Oberoi Hotel, CST Railway Station, Leopold Cafe and CST Railway Station were attacked by the terrorists. The exact number of terrorists was still not known. Around 200 NSG commandos were rushed to Mumbai to fight the terrorists. But they started from Manesar (Haryana) and could reach Mumbai only in the wee hours of November 27. It was too late!

November 27, 2008 - 12:59 AM: Breaking News Online reported that two terrorists were killed in Girgaon. DIG Ashok Kamte, who was also the additional commissioner of Mumbai Police, was killed in the encounter. ATS Chief Hemant Karkare and another senior ATS officer Vijay Salaskar are injured in the firing. Terrorists took a number of guests as hostage at the Oberoi and Taj.

November 27, 2008 - 1:35 AM: We published the most shocking and saddest news that DIG Ashok Kamte (Additional Commissioner of Police), ATS Chief Hemant Karkare and Inspector Vijay Salaskar were killed by the terrorists near Cama Hospital. The death toll in Mumbai had reached 80. Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh and Deputy CM RR Patil were still inaccessible.

November 27, 2008 - 2:35 AM: Breaking News Online reported that focus has been shifted to the Hotel Trident-Oberoi and Taj, where terrorists took hostages. A unknown terrorist organization, called Deccan Mujhaideen has sent email in Hindi to media, claiming responsibility for the terror attack in Mumbai. RR Patil arrived at Taj and took stock of the situation.

November 27, 2008 - 8:54 AM: We reported that NSG Commandos arrived in Mumbai, took charge of the operation and killed four terrorists. All schools and colleges in Mumbai were closed. There was no trading at BSE Sensex. After the terror attack in Mumbai, England's cricket team cancelled their ongoing tour of India and returned home. George Bush, Obama and many other top leaders condemned the attack.

November 27, 2008 - 9:10 AM: We published a series of live pictures of Mumbai terror attacks.

November 27, 2008 - 9:16 AM: We published another article, saluting Kamte, Karkare and Salaskar.

November 27, 2008 - 1:01 PM: It was reported some terrorists were holed up inside the Nariman House. NSG Commandos took over the operation.

November 27, 2008 - 1:56 PM: We reported that hostages were rescued from Hotel Taj. Terrorists were still holed up inside the Hotel. News 24 TV Channel reported that the terrorists came from Karachi in the ship MV Alpha. The ship was reportedly laden with RDX and other explosives.

November 27, 2008 - 4 PM: We published the report that terrorists came from Karachi in MV Alpha ship. However, later, the Indian Navy gave a clean chit to MV Alpha ship after interrogating the captain and crew.

November 27, 2008 - 4:48 PM: Our news article reported PM Dr. Manmohan Singh' address to the nation. "We will enact a tough terror law to tackle such incidents", he said.

November 27, 2008 - 6:23 PM: It was reported that one terrorist was captured and he identified himself as Salim, a resident of Faridkot, Pakistan. 31 hostages rescued from Trident-Oberoi. There were conflicting reports on the exact number of terrorists, their names and how they came to India.

November 27, 2008 - 6:56 PM: It was confirmed that Taj Hotel GM Karambir Kang lost his wife and two children in the terror attacks. The TOI's Consulting Editor, Sabina Sehgal Saikia went missing at The Taj.

November 27, 2008 - 8:17 PM: We had some good news for our readers, as at least five terrorists were gunned down inside Taj Hotel in a joint encounter by NSG Commandos and Army Commandos.

November 27, 2008 - 9:09 PM: We reported that the mobile phone (a satellite phone) of a terrorist was dropped outside Taj Hotel, when he was throwing a grenade at the fire brigade.

November 27, 2008 - 9:38 PM: The Indian Navy has detained two ships - 'MV Alpha' and 'Al Kabir'. They were later let off. For the first time, the news of missing 'Kuber' boat (Porbandar, Gujarat) came into light. Captain of 'Kuber', Amar Singh Solanki was found murdered. He had spent six months in a Pakistani jail earlier.

November 28, 2008 - 12:01 AM: Eight hostages were rescued from the Nariman House. Commandos stormed Trident-Oberoi.

November 28, 2008 - 8:51 AM: The Army Choppers dropped 12 NSG commandos on the rooftop of Nariman House. Gunbattle intensified at The Taj and Oberoi.

November 28, 2008 - 10:10 AM: Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi visited Hotel Oberoi and announced a reward of Rs. 1 crore for the martyr policemen who laid their lives while protecting Innocent citizens against the terrorist attack.

November 28, 2008 - 10:29 AM: NSG Commando Major S Unnikrishnan was killed while fighting the terrorists in Hotel Taj. 26/11 death toll reached 132.

November 28, 2008 - 11:15 AM: At least six hostages were feared killed by the terrorists at Hotel Oberoi during the gun battle with the commandos.

November 28, 2008 - 11:19 AM: It was reported that the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks were sponsored by Pakistan's ISI, Lashakr-e-Taiba and the Mumbai Underworld.

November 28, 2008 - 1:13 PM: The Marine commandos retrieved several AK series rifles, 7 credit cards (AXIS, ICICI, HSBC, CITI), seven loaded magazines, US$1,200, 4 Chinese Grenades, 400 rounds of cartridges and an Mauritian I-Card from Hotel Taj.

November 28, 2008 - 1:33 PM: Rumours of fresh firing at CST Railway Station, outside RBI Headquarters and near GT Hospital, caused panic in Mumbai. Mobile Phone jammers were activated in Mumbai to prevent the spread of any rumour.

November 28, 2008 - 2:28 PM: The NSG Chief confirmed that commandos have taken control of Trident Oberoi after a long battle with the terrorists.

November 28, 2008 - 3:15 PM: In a strongest-ever signal of India's resolve to fight terrorism, Indian PM Dr. Manmohan Singh asked his Pakistani counterpart Yousaf Raza Gillani to send the ISI Chief to Delhi to share information about the terror attack in Mumbai.

November 28, 2008 - 3:40 PM: In a rare display of Pakistan's obligation towards India, Pakistan's PM Yousaf Raza Gillani has accepted Indian PM Dr. Manmohan Singh's request to send the ISI Chief to India. Later, Pakistan backtracked.

November 28, 2008 - 4:11 PM: Maharashtra Deputy CM RR Patil held a press conference and announced that Maharashtra will soon have a NSG-like body.

November 28, 2008 - 4:35 PM: Union Minister of State (Home), Sriprakash Jaiswal held a press conference and stressed on the need for improving the Coastal Security.

November 28, 2008 - 6:02 PM: It was confirmed that 8 foreign nationals were killed, while 22 others were injured in the firing by terrorists.

November 28, 2008 - 7:30 PM: Five hostages and two terrorists were killed in Nariman House. NSG commando Havaldar Gajenrda Singh was killed in the shootout.

November 28, 2008 - 9:00 PM: It was confirmed that Bollywood Actor Ashish Chowdhury lost his sister Monica and her husband in the terror attack on Trident Oberoi.

November 28, 2008 - 9:05 PM: Operation 'Black Tornado' at the Nariman House, was finally over. The operation lasted for more than 46 hours. Five hostages were killed in the gunfire, while the NSG commandos gunned down two terrorists. NSG commando Havaldar Gajenrda Singh was killed in the shootout.

November 28, 2008 - 10:47 PM: The NSG commandos and Army personnel recovered 30 dead bodies of hostages from Hotel Trident Oberoi.

November 28, 2008 - 11:52 PM: It was confirmed that Non-Exec Chairman of YES Bank, Ashok Kapur was also killed at Hotel Trident Oberoi during the terror attack.

November 29, 2008 - 8:41 AM: A letter reminded MNS Chief Raj Thackeray that not MNS, but NSG Commandos, who hailed from different parts of the country, saved Mumbai. The letter condemned regionalism and asked all Indians to be united and fight against terrorism.

November 29, 2008 - 9:11 AM: The 58-hour-long 'Operation Cyclone' finally came to an end, as NSG took control of Hotel Taj, by killing 3 terrorists, who were holed up inside the hotel.

November 29, 2008 - 12:15 AM: Special article, giving a tribute to Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan.

November 29, 2008 - 12:30 PM: The brave martyr and former Mumbai ATS chief Hemant Karkare has been cremated with full state honours.

November 29, 2008 - 3:31 PM: Maharashtra CM Vilasrao Deshmukh held a press conference to announce a comprehensive compensation package for the policemen, who laid down their lives during 26/11.

November 29, 2008 - 6:07 PM: It was confirmed that 195 people, including 14 policemen, 23 foreigners and 9 terrorists were killed in the attacks. One terrorist was caught alive.

November 29, 2008 - 6:20 PM: TOI Consulting Editor and noted food critic Sabina Sehgal Saikia, was found dead inside the Taj Hotel during the search operation conducted by NSG and Army.

November 29, 2008 - 6:56 PM: The arrested terrorist during the terror attack in Mumbai, was identified as Ajmal Amir Kasab. He was from Faridkot, Pakistan. Kasab was arrested near Girgaum Chauptai with injuries, while his associate was shot dead.

November 29, 2008 - 7:15 PM: Pakistan's Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi held a press conference in Islamabad to rubbish the claims that Pakistan was behind the terror attack in Mumbai.

November 29, 2008 - 8:39 PM: The list published, included high-profile people, who were killed during 26/11 terror attacks.

November 30, 2008 - 12:03 AM: The NSG Commandos completed the search operation at Hotel Taj and recovered 22 dead bodies of hostages/guests and the dead body of the fourth terrorist.

November 30, 2008 - 12:35 AM: The real story of the death of Kamte, Karkare and Salaskar was published. Constable Arun Jadhav gave all the details of what happened in the night of 26/11.

November 30, 2008 - 9:02 AM: Pakistani media reported that Pakistan reportedly decided to pull out 100,000 troops from the Afghan border to deploy them on the LoC. It was a pressure tactics to divert the attention of the world and persuade India not to launch attacks on Pakistan.

November 30, 2008 - 12:01 PM: Under fire from several quarters for his "inability" to prevent the rising terror attacks in India, Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil resigned, owning moral responsibility.

November 30, 2008 - 1:57 PM: In a snub to terrorists and their patrons across the border, the national tricolour (Tiranga) was unfurled on the top of Hotel Taj.

November 30, 2008 - 2:10 PM: P. Chidambaram was appointed as the new Union Home Minister of India.

November 30, 2008 - 5 PM: Maharashtra Deputy CM RR Patil, created a flutter, by terming the worst-ever terror attacks in Mumbai, as a "small incident". He had to resign the following day.

November 30, 2008 - 6:40 PM: A six-member team of the FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation), just arrived in Mumbai to help in the investigation into the Mumbai terror attacks.

November 30, 2008 - 6:45 PM: "The Mumbai Terror Attack - Have we learnt a Lesson from it?" written by Sukant Khurana, Section of Neurobiology, College of Natural Sciences, The University of Texas at Austin.

November 30, 2008 - 6:51 PM: Published list of Major Terror Attacks in India (2003 - 2008).

November 30, 2008 - 11:01 PM: Published list of Braveheart Policemen and Commandos who died in Mumbai Terror Attack.