It was 26th November 2008 when a series of terrorist attacks took place in Mumbai by 10 members of Lashkar-e-Taiba, a Pakistan Islamist terrorist organization, killing a total of 175 people and injuring over 300 people. The attack drew widespread global condemnation that carried out 12 coordinated shooting and bombing attacks lasting four days across Mumbai.
Out of 10 attackers, nine of them died during the Mumbai attack, leaving Ajmal Kasab the only sole surviving attacker.
What type of training was given to the attackers of the Mumbai attack?
A group of men 24 men received training in marine warfare at a remote camp in mountainous Muzaffarabad in Pakistan. Part of the training was reported to have taken place on the Mangla Dam reservoir in Pakistan. From psychological to commando training, the attackers went through different types of training.
Out of them, 10 were selected for the Mumbai mission. They were also trained in swimming and sailing, as well as the use of high-tech weaponry and explosives under the supervision of LeT commanders.
How did Ajmal Kasab and other gangsters plan Mumbai attack?
The terrorists had planned the attack for several months in advance and were familiar enough with some locations to hide and return once security officers had departed. According to many reports, Kasab told authorities that the gang received assistance from Mumbai residents.
The attackers used at least three SIM cards purchased on the Indian side of the border with Bangladesh. Police also stated that Faheem Ansari, an Indian Lashkar agent who was arrested in February 2008, scouted the Mumbai locations for the November attacks.
They were given blueprints of all the four targets – The Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, Oberoi Trident, Nariman House, and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus.
Which site was attacked by Ajmal Kasab?
Ajmal Kasab with Ismail Khan attacked Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus. Around 21:30 the attackers entered the passenger hall and opened fire using AK-47 rifles, killing 58 people and injuring 104 others. The two gunmen then fled the location and fired at pedestrians and police officers in the streets, killing eight police officers.
Later, they headed to the police station and then to the hospital to kill the patients. And during that time the gunfire took place between the attackers and the police officers killing 8 police personnel and Ismail Khan, one of the attackers. Kasab was wounded during the gun battle and after a physical struggle, he was arrested.
Ajmal Kasab trial and death penalty!
Kasab’s trial was postponed owing to legal complications since many Indian lawyers refused to defend him. A resolution was approved by the Mumbai Bar Association declaring that none of its members will represent Kasab. The Chief Justice of India, on the other hand, declared that Kasab deserved counsel for a fair trial. On February 25, 2009, Indian investigators issued an 11,000-page charge sheet against Kasab, accusing him of murder, conspiracy, and waging war against India, among other things.
Kasab initially apologized for the attacks and stated that he deserved the death punishment for his actions, but on December 18, 2009, he withdrew his confession and stated that he was forced to make his confession by police.
He was found guilty of murder for directly killing seven people, conspiracy to commit murder for the deaths of the 164 people killed in the three-day terror siege, waging war against India, inciting terror, and conspiracy to murder two high-ranking police officials. On May 6, 2010, he was condemned to death by hanging. He did, however, appeal his sentence to the Supreme Court. Kasab’s death sentence was upheld by the Bombay High Court on 21 February 2011, rejecting his appeal.
On August 29, 2012, the Indian Supreme Court affirmed Kasab’s death sentence. Kasab petitioned the President of India for mercy, which was denied on November 5. Kasab was secretly hung at Pune’s Yerwada prison on November 21, 2012, at 7:30 a.m., as part of Operation ‘X.’
Abhishek Banerjee says will not bow to BJP after nearly 11 hours of ED questioning
After spending nearly 11 hours before the Enforcement Directorate, TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee said he would not bow to the BJP and accused the ruling party of using investigative agencies for political purposes.
Trinamool Congress leader and Diamond Harbour MP Abhishek Banerjee on Tuesday said he would not bow to the BJP after spending nearly 11 hours being questioned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with an ongoing investigation.
Speaking after the questioning, Banerjee alleged that central agencies were being used to target opposition leaders and asserted that he would continue his political fight despite what he described as sustained pressure.
The TMC leader has repeatedly maintained that investigations involving him are politically motivated, a charge he has made on several previous occasions while appearing before central agencies.
His appearance before the ED comes amid a period of heightened political activity and multiple investigations involving leaders in West Bengal. Recent days have also seen Banerjee face summons and questioning in separate matters by state investigative agencies.
After leaving the ED office, Banerjee reiterated that he would not be intimidated and said he remained committed to his political responsibilities. He also accused the BJP of attempting to weaken opposition parties through investigative action, an allegation that the BJP has rejected in the past.
The Enforcement Directorate has not publicly commented on Banerjee’s remarks. The investigation related to the questioning remains ongoing.
DMK attacks Rahul Gandhi, accuses him of weakening opposition unity
DMK has intensified its criticism of Rahul Gandhi, alleging that the Congress leader’s actions have weakened opposition unity and strained relations within the INDIA bloc.
The war of words between the DMK and Congress has intensified, with the DMK launching a strong attack on Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and accusing him of contributing to divisions within the opposition alliance. The criticism comes amid strained ties between the two parties following their political split in Tamil Nadu.
According to the DMK, Rahul Gandhi’s political approach has weakened unity among opposition parties. The party’s IT wing mocked the Congress leader on social media, while an editorial published in the DMK’s official mouthpiece Murasoli questioned his recent remarks on opposition solidarity.
DMK questions Rahul Gandhi’s remarks on opposition unity
In its editorial, Murasoli argued that Rahul Gandhi was speaking about opposition unity despite, according to the DMK, contributing to disagreements among alliance partners in several states. The publication cited criticism directed at Congress by various opposition parties and suggested that the party’s actions had often created tensions within the INDIA bloc.
The editorial also referred to past political disputes involving Congress and Left parties, particularly in Kerala, claiming such episodes had raised concerns among opposition allies about Congress’s approach toward its partners.
Tamil Nadu political fallout adds to tensions
The attack comes after a major political realignment in Tamil Nadu. Following the 2026 Assembly elections, Congress ended its alliance with the DMK and joined the government led by Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). The move left the DMK in the opposition and significantly altered the political equation between the two former allies.
The DMK has alleged that Congress benefited from the alliance during the election and later abandoned its partner. The party’s editorial questioned whether assurances from Congress leadership would be trusted by alliance partners after the developments in Tamil Nadu.
Congress rejects allegations
Congress has not issued a detailed official response to the editorial, but party sources have rejected the allegations. According to the party, its decisions in Tamil Nadu were made in line with the mandate delivered by voters and were not intended to undermine either the DMK or the broader opposition alliance.
The latest exchange highlights growing strains between two key opposition parties even as leaders continue to stress cooperation on national issues. Just days earlier, Rahul Gandhi had said that the DMK remained aligned with the opposition on defending the “idea of India” despite political differences.
Kumkum Bhagya actor Sanchita Ugale dies by suicide near Mumbai at 22
Television actor Sanchita Ugale, known for Kumkum Bhagya and Wagle Ki Duniya, died by suicide at her residence near Mumbai. Police have launched an investigation.
Television actor Sanchita Ugale, known for her appearances in Kumkum Bhagya, Wagle Ki Duniya and Dilwali Dulha Le Jayegi, died by suicide at her residence in Nalasopara East near Mumbai on June 14. She was 22.
According to police officials, the incident took place at her home in Achole village, Nalasopara East. Authorities said Ugale had locked herself inside her bedroom and was later found hanging from a ceiling fan. Family members and local residents rushed her to a hospital, where doctors declared her dead.
Police have registered an Accidental Death Report (ADR) and launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death. Officials said inquiries are underway and the exact reason behind the incident has not yet been established.
Career across television, OTT and films
Ugale had built a growing presence in the entertainment industry through television, streaming projects and films. Apart from Kumkum Bhagya and Wagle Ki Duniya, she played a lead role in Dilwali Dulha Le Jayegi. She also appeared in OTT projects such as Crime Aaj Kal and Silence 2.
The actor was also associated with the film Chhaava, which contributed to her growing recognition among audiences.
Last social media post draws attention
Following news of her death, social media users shared and commented on Ugale’s final Instagram post, which had been uploaded hours before the incident. The post showed the actor in traditional attire lip-syncing to a classic Bollywood song. Fans expressed shock and grief after learning of her death.
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