Ashok Kamte (23 February 1965 - 26 November 2008)

Ashok Kamte was killed in action by terrorists during the Mumbai attacks, on 26 November 2008 in a narrow lane between St. Xavier’s College and the Rang Bhavan opposite Corporation Bank ATM just a stone away from Crime Branch office.

As Mr. Kamte was known for his cool temperament and negotiation skills he was summoned when attack began. He was the Additional Commissioner of East zone, an area not under attack. When he reached CST area, he met ATS Chief Hemant Karkare and others. They took a Qualis from the Azad Maidan Police Station (AMPS), with Kamte taking taking AK47 himself. When they reached rear entrance of the Cama and Albless Hospital ( Cama ) which is next to AMPS, Kamte fired at terrorists, to which the terrorists retaliated with handgranade so Kamte suggested to take on terrorists from front entrance of Cama. By then the terrorists had left Cama sensing trouble. As the cops were moving they received wireless message that terrorists were hiding behind a red car in the same lane.

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Hemant Karkare

Anti Terrorist Squad Chief

Hemant Karkare

(12 December 1954 – 26 November 2008)

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Hemant Karkare was the chief of the Mumbai Anti-Terrorist Squad. He was killed during the 2008 Mumbai attacks after being shot three times in the chest.

At 9.45 p.m. while having his dinner at his Dadar residence, he received a call about a terrorist attack at C.S.T. (earlier V.T.) station. He switched on the TV for news and left at once with his driver and bodyguards for C.S.T. There he donned a bullet-proof vest and helmet (shown on news channels live), and went to Platform No.1, but found it deserted. He was then informed that the terrorists had moved to the Cama and Albless Hospital (“Cama”) next to the Azad Maidan police station. At the police station he met Addl. Commissioner, East Region Ashok Kamte who was summoned for his cool temper and negotiation skills and Sr. Inspector Vijay Salaskar, who was returning from Colaba after interrogating detained persons.

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The 2008 Mumbai attacks (often referred to as November 26th or 26/11) is  a black day in history of Mumbai and India. More than 10 coordinated shooting and bombing attacks across Mumbai began on 26 November 2008 and lasted until 29 November, killing 166 people and wounding at least 308.

According to investigations, the attackers traveled by sea from Karachi, Pakistan, across the Arabian Sea, hijacked the Indian fishing trawler ‘Kuber‘, killing the crew of four, and then forced the captain to sail to Mumbai. The attackers had planned the attack several months ahead of time and knew some areas well enough for the attackers to vanish, and reappear after security forces had left.

Today India marks two years since the Mumbai attacks. India today (on Friday Nov 26) marked the second anniversary of the militant attacks on Mumbai with memorial events and prayer meetings to honour the 166 victims killed during 60 hours of carnage.

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