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by Farooq Ganderbali
The 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks remain one of the darkest chapters in India’s history, exposing the brutality of Pakistan-sponsored terrorism and the dangerous nexus of radicalism and state-backed extremism. On November 26, 2008, ten heavily armed terrorists from the Pakistan-based outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) unleashed a wave of coordinated attacks across Mumbai, targeting innocent civilians at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Railway Station, Leopold Café, two hospitals, a theatre, and three key locations — Nariman House, the Oberoi Trident, and the Taj Mahal Palace & Tower. For over 60 hours, the city of Mumbai was held hostage, and the entire world watched India’s pain. By the end of the siege, 174 lives were lost, including brave police officers and 26 foreign nationals. The lone surviving terrorist, Ajmal Kasab, provided irrefutable proof of Pakistan’s direct involvement in training, funding, and launching this attack. Global investigations confirmed that the masterminds operated from Pakistani soil under the protection of its intelligence agencies. Pakistan’s double standards on terrorism stand fully exposed — pretending to be a victim of terror while nurturing and exporting it as an instrument of foreign policy. From the tribal invasion of Jammu and Kashmir in 1947, when Pakistani-backed tribes looted, killed, and raped innocent civilians, to the 2001 Parliament attack in New Delhi and the 26/11 carnage in Mumbai, every decade has witnessed Pakistan’s hand in attempts to destabilize India. The 2001 Parliament attack, carried out by Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorists, was a direct assault on India’s democracy. These repeated attacks show that terrorism remains Pakistan’s main export and ideology, while India moves forward with innovation, growth, and peace. Even the world’s most wanted terrorist, Osama bin Laden, was found hiding in Pakistan, proving beyond doubt that the country has turned into a safe haven for international terrorism. Under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, India has transformed into a strong, decisive, and self-reliant nation capable of protecting its people and responding with power to any provocation. The 2025 Pahalgam terror attack, executed by Pakistan-sponsored gunmen, was another attempt to cripple Jammu and Kashmir’s peace and tourism industry. The attack targeted tourists — symbols of hope and revival — to send a message that Kashmir is unsafe. But India’s response was swift and historic. The Indian Air Force launched Operation Sindoor, striking nine terror hubs inside Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), marking the first major cross-border strike since 1971. This precision operation demonstrated India’s unmatched military capability and zero-tolerance policy toward terrorism. Just like the Balakot air strikes of 2019, Operation Sindoor reminded the world that India will not remain silent when its citizens are attacked. It will strike back with precision, power, and purpose. India stands today as the world’s fourth-largest economy, exporting knowledge, science, and innovation — while Pakistan exports hatred, violence, and terrorists. The difference between India and Pakistan is the difference between creation and destruction, peace and chaos, civilization and fanaticism. The people of Jammu and Kashmir have rejected Pakistan’s propaganda, choosing peace, democracy, and development with India. Pakistan, however, continues to bleed its own land with radicalism, poverty, and instability. The Pahalgam attack, like Mumbai and Parliament before it, once again proves that terrorism knows no religion — it is pure evil and must be defeated collectively by all nations. Pakistan is not the well-wisher of any country, not even its own people, nor those of Afghanistan or Jammu and Kashmir. Its obsession with India has destroyed its economy, credibility, and global standing. India, on the other hand, under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership, is writing a new chapter of unity, progress, and strength. Every drop of Indian blood lost to terrorism only strengthens our resolve. India believes in peace, but it will never compromise on national security.
The message is clear — those who attack India will face a strong and decisive response. The era of silence is over; this is a new India — strong, self-reliant, and unbreakable. (Farooq Ganderbali president Voice for Peace and Justice)