The tragic events of November 26, 2008, during the Mumbai terror attacks, resulted in the loss of several lives, including that of IPS officer Hemant Karkare and four other police personnel. Here's a detailed account of what happened on that fateful evening:
1. **Terrorist Arrival:** Ten Pakistani terrorists arrived in Mumbai via speedboats from Karachi. Upon arrival, they quickly spread out to various locations in the city.
2. **Terrorist Activities:** Two terrorists attacked the Trident Hotel, two targeted The Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, and four headed to Nariman House. Meanwhile, Ajmal Kasab and Abu Ismail Khan launched attacks at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CST) railway station, killing and injuring numerous people.
3. **Attack at Cama Hospital:** Kasab and Ismail then proceeded to the Cama Hospital, where they attacked a police team. Additional Police Commissioner Sadanand Date and several other personnel were injured in the ambush.
4. **Response of Karkare, Kamte, and Salaskar:** Upon learning about Date's injury, Hemant Karkare, along with ACP Ashok Kamte and Inspector Vijay Salaskar, decided to enter the lane leading towards Rang Bhawan to reach the hospital.
5. **Ambush:** The officers, accompanied by other police personnel, encountered the terrorists in the lane leading to the hospital. In the ensuing exchange of fire, Karkare, Kamte, Salaskar, and two other policemen were killed.
6. **Karkare's Death:** Karkare was shot three times in the chest, despite wearing a substandard bulletproof vest. The Ram Pradhan Commission found that the decision of the officers to enter the hospital from the front gate was sudden and unexpected.
7. **Capture of Kasab:** Following the ambush, the terrorists hijacked the Qualis used by the officers and drove towards Metro Junction, killing another police constable on the way. Eventually, they abandoned the vehicle near Mantralaya and hijacked another vehicle.
8. **Conclusion:** The capture of Ajmal Kasab near Chowpatty resulted in the death of Abu Ismail and the capture of Kasab himself, thanks to the heroic efforts of ASI Tukaram Omble and others.
The events of that evening were a tragic reminder of the sacrifices made by law enforcement personnel like Hemant Karkare in the line of duty to protect the citizens of Mumbai.
