13th anniversary of 26/11 attacks: Leaders pay tribute to martyrs, victims

Political leaders on Friday paid homage to the victims and security personnel who lost their lives in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks.

President Ram Nath Kovind said the nation will always be grateful to the security personnel who laid down their lives in the line of duty.

'My heartfelt tributes to the martyrs and homage to the victims of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks. The nation will always be grateful for the bravery and sacrifice of the security forces who laid down their lives in the line of duty,' Kovind tweeted.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah termed the terror attacks a 'cowardly act' while paying tribute to those who had lost their lives.

'Heartfelt tributes to those who lost their lives in the Mumbai 26/11 terror attacks and salute the courage of all the security personnel who bravely faced the terrorists in the cowardly attacks. The whole nation will be proud of your bravery. A grateful nation will always be indebted to your sacrifice,' Shah said in a tweet.

External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar said that he will 'never forget' the 26/11 terror attacks.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh remembered all those who lost their lives in the attacks.

'On the 13th anniversary of the November 26th terror attack on Mumbai, we remember the innocent lives we lost. My tributes to everyone who lost their lives in those attacks. Our security forces displayed exemplary courage during the 26/11 attacks. I salute their bravery and sacrifice,' Singh said in a tweet.

Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal paid tribute to jawans, policemen and citizens who lost their lives in the attack.

'I humbly pay homage to all the jawans, policemen and citizens who laid down their lives in 26/11 Mumbai Terror Attacks to protest the country. Considering the nation as paramount, this country will always be indebted to all the brave soldiers who sacrificed their lives in this attack,' he said in a tweet.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also paid homage to the fallen soldiers and said, 'They protect the country by staying away from the family in difficult weather at the border. Save the lives of the innocent by risking his life in terrorist attacks. They don't care about their life; they only care for their country. It is the pride of the family, of the village, of the country -- such as the soldiers of my country.'

'Salute to the heroes of 26/11 #MumbaiTerrorAttack. Jai Hind!' tweeted Rahul Gandhi.

Shiromani Akali Dal president, Sukhbir Singh Badal said, 'Heartfelt tributes to the courageous martyrs of 26/11 Mumbai Terror Attack. We mourn with families who lost their dear ones. The nation will always remain indebted to the brave police and security forces who fearlessly fought against the terrorists to save the countrymen.'

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said in a tweet, 'I pay homage to the immortal martyrdom of our brave soldiers who laid down their lives in the 26/11 Mumbai attack and served the nation. This country will always be indebted to its brave martyrs.'

Former Union minister and Shiromani Akali Dal leader Harsimrat Kaur Badal also paid homage to the bravehearts who made supreme sacrifice to protect the nation.

'26/11 #MumbaiTerrorAttack - the horrific incident which we will never forget. Our solidarity with families who lost their loved ones in that gruesome attack. Salute to the bravehearts who made supreme sacrifice to protect the nation. The entire country will remain indebted to them,' she said.

on November 26, 2008, 10 Lashkar-e-Tayiba terrorists came to Mumbai via sea route from Pakistan and carried out a series of coordinated shooting and bombing attacks across the city.

After sailing to the city under the cover of darkness, the terrorists targeted major landmarks of Mumbai with the first attack taking place at the crowded Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST) railway station.