Thursday 26 November 2009

India's Mumbai attacks remembered - 26 Nov 09


Ceremonies are being held in Mumbai (Bombay) to mark the first anniversary of a series of devastating attacks on the Indian city by militants.



Police have paraded in the city, a memorial has been inaugurated and a candle-lit prayer service held.

The attacks, which began on 26 November 2008 and lasted nearly three days, left 174 people dead, including nine gunmen.

The only surviving attacker, Pakistani Mohammad Ajmal Qasab, is currently on trial in India.

On Wednesday, a court in Pakistan charged seven people in connection with the attacks, including alleged mastermind Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi - head of the banned militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba.

The Mumbai gunmen staged co-ordinated attacks at a number of sites, including the CST railway station, two luxury hotels and the Nariman House Jewish community centre.



India's Mumbai attacks remembered





Security forces criticised

On Thursday, a candle-lit prayer service was held at the Gateway of India monument, near the Taj Mahal Hotel.

Indian Home Minister P Chidambaram unveiled a new memorial, which he dedicated to the memories of "those who laid down their lives to save Mumbai... and the idea of India as a secular, plural, tolerant, democratic republic".




MUMBAI ATTACKS
Locals look at a fire as it burns at Taj Mahal Palace
Gunmen targeted several high profile sites in south Mumbai
Total death toll of 174, including nine gunmen
India says attacks planned in Pakistan by Lashkar-e-Taiba
Single surviving attacker currently on trial in Mumbai

British survivors reflect

He said he hoped India could be at peace with all its neighbours.

A police band played as several officers and the families of their dead colleagues gathered around, reports the BBC's Prachi Pinglay in the city.

Earlier on Thursday, Mumbai's policemen and commandos marched in a parade and displayed the force's newly acquired equipment, including amphibious patrol boats and "rapid intervention" vehicles.

The equipment has been purchased under a $26m (£16m) modernisation plan to strengthen resources.

The security forces were criticised for their handling of the attacks, and have been using the anniversary to demonstrate their improvements - including the launch of an anti-terrorism commando unit.

Memorial services were also held at other sites of attacks, including the CST railway station and Nariman House.

People have also been lighting candles in front of the Oberoi-Trident hotel and a popular cafe, both of which were targeted during the attack.

"We just wanted to show our support and show that we care," said Subir Kumar Singh, who left a written message outside the Leopold Cafe.


How the deadly Mumbai attacks unfolded - 29 Nov 08










Six people were killed in the attack on the Jewish Chabad Lubavitch community centre, including its rabbi, Gavriel Holtzberg, and his pregnant wife, Rivki.

Rabbi Avraham Berkowitz, head of a relief fund for the victims at the centre, spoke of the community's resolve.

"We will turn the horrific memories of a year ago into thousands of points of light and we will continue with faith in God that he will protect us," he said.

Dozens of people painted slogans on a wall in southern Mumbai, where the attacks were concentrated.

One read: "We want to make sure 26/11 is not just forgotten."

On Wednesday, a small group of people who were gathered for a vigil outside the Taj Mahal Hotel - one of the attackers' targets - called for more police reform.

The attacks led India to suspend peace talks with Pakistan. In July Indian PM Manmohan Singh said talks would not restart until the Mumbai attacks suspects had been brought to justice.

Following Pakistan's announcement on Wednesday of charges, he said he welcomed "every step" by Pakistan to rein in militants.