26/11@13: India reminds Pakistan of closure, justice for Mumbai terror victims

By Shweta Aggarwal

Thirteen years after the Mumbai terror carnage that shook the country, the Indian government paid homage those who died in the attacks and reminded Pakistan to punish the perpetrator of this mayhem whose wounds continue to fester for the nation.

“India can’t forget the wounds of the Mumbai attacks. Now, today’s India is combating terrorism with a new policy and new ways,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a video on the attacks posted on Twitter by the external affairs ministry.

“I pay my homage to all those who died in the Mumbai attacks. Many brave police personnel were martyred in this attack. I also pay homage to them,” Mr Modi said.

The President, Prime Minister and External Affairs Minister, in separate messages, expressed their firm solidarity with the families of the victims

On the 13th anniversary of the 26/11 Mumbai terrorist attacks, the Government and people of India somberly remember the victims of this dastardly attack and the valiant security personnel who laid down their lives to protect ours, said India’s Ministry of External Affairs in a statement.

India also accused Pakistan of showing little sincerity in bringing the perpetrators to justice. “It is a matter of deep anguish that even after 13 years of this heinous terror attack, the families of 166 victims from 15 countries across the globe still await closure, with Pakistan showing little sincerity in bringing the perpetrators to justice,” the ministry said.

To register its anguish, the Ministry of External Affairs summoned a senior diplomat from the High Commission of Pakistan and handed over a Note Verbale to him reiterating India’s call for an expeditious trial in the Mumbai terror attacks case. In this note, New Delhi asked the Government of Pakistan “to abide by its commitment to not allow territories under its control for terrorism against India, was handed over to him.”

Leaving no room for ambiguity, the government placed it on record yet again that the 26/11 terrorist attack was planned, executed and launched from Pakistani territory.

“The former Prime Minister of Pakistan had gone on record and admitted that the terrorists were sent from Pakistan’s soil,” said the MEA. “We once again call on the Government of Pakistan to give up double standards and to expeditiously bring the perpetrators of the horrific attack to justice. This is not just a matter of Pakistan’s accountability to the families of the innocent victims who fell to terrorists, but also an international obligation.”

“The Government of India will continue to make every effort to seek justice for the families of the victims and the martyrs.”

The attacks at three different sites in Mumbai, including the iconic Taj Hotel, by Pakistani terrorists, which began on November 26, 2008, resulted in the deaths of 166 people, including 26 foreign nationals from fourteen other countries.

Indian Missions in these countries are organizing memorial events remembering the victims, both national and foreign, reminding the world of the continuing global threat of terrorism. Senior government representatives from the host Governments, family members of victims and survivors will be participating in these solemn events.

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