Mumbai, two years after the bloodbath

Image: A schoolkid looks at the bullet holes at Nariman House
Photographs: Sahil Salvi

Two years on, memories of the bloodbath in Mumbai linger in the air.

The carnage unleashed by 10 Lashkar-e-Tayiba terrorists on November 26, 2008, claimed 166 lives.

The city may have moved on, yet many wounds remain unhealed.

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Light a candle for 26/11: Show you remember

Mumbai, two years after the bloodbath

Image: Parents of Rabbi Gavriel light a candle

The kin of Rabbi Gavriel and Rivka Holtzberg, who lost their lives on the horrid day at Chabad House (Nariman House) can still not come to terms with the loss, even as they do not want to dwell on the direful memories anymore.

The paternal grandparents of the two, who arrived here two days back, today lit candles at the Chabad House, one of the terror affected sites, in memory of their son and daughter-in-law and other victims of the attack.

Light a candle for 26/11: Show you remember

Mumbai, two years after the bloodbath

Image: Bullet marks from the attack still remain

"We cannot believe its two years we lost our children and other community people here. We aim to look at the good deeds the Gabi and Rivka did for the people here and not dwell over the horrific events that unfolded here," an emotional Rabbi Nachman, father of Rabbi Gavriel said.

Our heartfelt sympathies for all those who lost their near and dear ones, he said, adding, "We thank the people of Mumbai for their unconditional love and support."

Light a candle for 26/11: Show you remember

Mumbai, two years after the bloodbath

Image: Images of the slain Rabbi and his wife at Chabad House
Photographs: Reuters

During the 45-hour terror siege at the Jewish Centre, two Lashkar terrorists killed six of its occupants, including Rabbi and his five-months pregnant wife, Rivka.

Their son Moshe, who was then two-year-old then, survived the attack after being rescued by an Indian nanny, Sandra Samuel. Speaking about baby Moshe, Rabbi Nachman said, "Moshe was too small that time when the incident took place but he remembers his parents and the city and often misses them."

Light a candle for 26/11: Show you remember

Mumbai, two years after the bloodbath

Image: What remains at the Nariman House today
Photographs: Sahil Salvi

There are reports that two factions of the Jewish community are sparring over conducting memorial service at the Chabad House.

The Chabad House is in the possession of a Bombay high court receiver following a dispute between Rabbi Yosef Kantor and slain Rabbi Gavriel Holtzberg's parents over rights to rebuild the house.

Kantor claims that he is responsible for rebuilding and raising funds for the Jewish Centre as the Lubavitch movement appointed him soon after the carnage. According to him, he had given funds for the rebuilding work.

However, Gavriel's parents opposed this claim stating that they are the ones who are actively involved in reviving the house and that they have not received any funds from Kantor.

Light a candle for 26/11: Show you remember

Mumbai, two years after the bloodbath

Image: An armoured vehicle of Mumbai Police on patrol

The police, meanwhile, have sounded an alert and intensified security across the city.

"With terror threat lingering over the city in the view of the second anniversary of 26/11, we have made elaborate security arrangements and Mumbai has been put on alert," DCP (Operations) Rajkumar Vhatkar said.

Light a candle for 26/11: Show you remember

Mumbai, two years after the bloodbath

Image: It's business as usual at Leopold Cafe in South Mumbai, which was one of the targets on 26/11

A foreign intelligence agency had informed Delhi recently that LeT may launch "spectacular strikes" in crowded places in Mumbai, similar to the one carried out two years ago, he said, adding that a slew of programmes have been planned to mark the anniversary and proper security has been ensured for the same.

Light a candle for 26/11: Show you remember

Mumbai, two years after the bloodbath

Image: Tight vigil outside the Taj hotel

Tight security is in place as Union Home Minister P Chidambaram will be in Mumbai to participate at a programme to be held at the CNG filling station in Borivli, police said.

Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan, his deputy Ajit Pawar and state Home Minister R R Patil will lay wreaths at martyrs' memorial at Police Gymkhana in Marine Lines along with senior police officials and other dignitaries, police said.

Light a candle for 26/11: Show you remember

Mumbai, two years after the bloodbath

Image: K Unnikrishnan, father of Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan who was slain in the 26/11 terror attacks with his wife Dhanalakshmi in Mumbai
Photographs: Rajesh Karkera/Rediff.com

Amidst other programmes, P Unnikrishnan, father of slain NSG officer Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan, who has undertaken a cycle tour from India Gate in Delhi, will join a peace march at the Gateway of India.

Based on specific inputs, the Union Home Ministry had asked police to deploy additional forces in markets, religious and other public places to keep extra vigil during the second anniversary of the attack.

We see God in our son: Mother of 26/11 martyr

Light a candle for 26/11: Show you remember

Mumbai, two years after the bloodbath

Image: A police checkpost outside the Taj Hotel

A parade will organised on Friday with participation of Force One, a specialised unit raised after the carnage, Quick Response Teams and local police.

The parade will also showcase the state-of-the-art weaponry acquired in the aftermath of 26/11. A nearly 1.5-km-long banner depicting the 'spirit of Mumbai' will be displayed by hundreds of people starting from Oberoi Hotel, one of the places attacked by the terrorists.

There will be a lecture by Air Commodore (Retd) Jasjit Singh on the terror attacks and their national, regional and global impact.

In the evening, a multi-religion discourse will be organised at Gateway of India.

Light a candle for 26/11: Show you remember

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