Mumbai: Nine years have gone and the nation and the people of Mumbai continue to remember the horrific terror attacks on the city’s landmarks that claimed 166 lives and left more than 300 injured on the evening of November 26, 2008.

Ten Pakistani terrorists entered the city and went on a pre-planned rampage, gunning down innocent people — diners in Leopold Cafe, Taj and Oberoi hotels, passengers waiting in the large concourse of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, guests in both the posh hotels, Cama Hospital, Girgaon Chowpatty and at Nariman House, a Chabad House that was a Jewish outreach centre.

It took four days for the siege to end; four years for the trial and hanging of Ajmal Kasab, the only terrorist who was captured alive. But what angers Mumbai’s citizens and the loved ones of those who died is that the mastermind behind the attack, Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jamaat-ud-Dawa chief Hafeez Saeed, was released from house arrest in Pakistan a few days ago. There seems to be no effort to ensure that the man is arrested and charged for his crimes by the Pakistani government.

Ramnath Kovind, President of India, was one of the first to tweet, “On the ninth anniversary of the Mumbai terror attacks, we mourn with the families that lost their dear ones. And we recall with gratitude the security personnel who gave their lives in the battle against evil.

“On this day, we renew our resolve to take on, defeat and eliminate terrorism in all forms — and to make our people, our country and our world safer.”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also said that while November 26 is observed as Constitution Day, the nation could not forget that on this day nine years ago, terrorists launched attacks across Mumbai.

“The country remembers and bows to those brave citizens, policemen, securitymen and each one who lost their lives then. This country can never forget their sacrifice,” he said.

In Mumbai, Maharashtra Governor C. Vidyasagar Rao and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis paid tributes to policemen who were martyred while fighting on 26/11 at a function where several ministers were present. The terrorists killed 15 policemen and two National Security Guard commandos. Assistant Police Sub-Inspector Tukaram Omble succeeded in capturing one terrorist alive but died in the struggle.

At a Memorial Day programme held today by Forum for Awareness of National Security and attended by Fadnavis and Union Minister Hansraj Ahir, the chief minister said on the present security situation, “We have streamlined many things like Force One and CCTV network which was pending since 2008.” He said the state had introduced colour coding for boats, bullet resistant jackets, set up a coordinating committee on security and training of locals as “we believe that citizens can play a bigger role in helping our forces.

“Just as 9/11 was an attack on world’s economic power, 26/11 was an attack on Indian financial capital to destabilise our economy. But time and again we have proven that we have a great fighting spirit and have defeated all evil designs of enemies.”