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In Pictures: Reflecting on Mumbai attacks

Five years after India’s financial capital came under coordinated attacks, people who were affected speak of tragedy.

Madhavi Karandikar, 62.  Was at the Taj Hotel and hid under a table to escape. "I still don’t understand after all these years how the mind of a terrorist works, because it is so different from the mind of a criminal."
Madhavi Karandikar, 62.  Was at the Taj Hotel and hid under a table to escape. "I still don’t understand after all these years how the mind of a terrorist works, because it is so different from the mind of a criminal."
By 
Karen Dias
25 Nov 2013
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Tuesday marks the fifth anniversary of the co-ordinated attacks on Mumbai, India’s financial capital, that left 166 people dead and a nation of more than a billion people shaken.

On November 26, 2008, a group of heavily-armed men had stealthily come ashore on a boat – India says from Pakistan across the Arabian Sea – to launch the most audacious attack till date on the country. 

To many, 26/11 was India’s equivalent to the September 11 attacks on the Unted States.

As the armed men spread across to different parts of the bustling city to attack several iconic locations simultaneously, India found itself under siege.

Millions watched in shock, disbelief and horror as the mayhem unfolded on live TV.

Bloody standoffs ensued between security forces and the attackers at the seafront Taj Hotel and at the Chabad House, a Jewish centre in the upscale Colaba neighbourhood. 

It was only after three days that the last of the stubborn attackers were eliminated and the gunfights ended.

But five years on, memories of the attack remain fresh in the country’s collective conscience.

Al Jazeera spoke to a cross-section of people who were impacted by the tragedy. Some have moved on stoically, but others continue to suffer – struggling to cope with their loss. 

Subhas Vishnu Shinde, 56. His son Rahul was killed while trying to clear the Taj Hotel of attackers. "It makes me cry thinking about him, but we are also proud for what he did for our country."
Subhas Vishnu Shinde, 56. His son Rahul was killed while trying to clear the Taj Hotel of attackers. "It makes me cry thinking about him, but we are also proud for what he did for our country."
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Hitesh Desai, 48.  As a security expert, helped to rescue a friend from the Oberoi Trident Hotel, whose wife was killed. "Today my outlook towards life has drastically changed. I’ve started thinking more about life and death and I try to remind myself that, tomorrow may not be my day."
Hitesh Desai, 48.  As a security expert, helped to rescue a friend from the Oberoi Trident Hotel, whose wife was killed. "Today my outlook towards life has drastically changed. I’ve started thinking more about life and death and I try to remind myself that, tomorrow may not be my day."
Munna Jhaveri, 47. Owner of Joy Shoes at Taj Hotel. "After five years, today, it just seems like a bad dream and we want to move on with our lives and the media should move on, too."
Munna Jhaveri, 47. Owner of Joy Shoes at Taj Hotel. "After five years, today, it just seems like a bad dream and we want to move on with our lives and the media should move on, too."
Ashwini Thakkar, 59. Managing Director of Mercury Travels at Oberoi Trident. Escaped while the attack was on. "It’s been many years since the incident and I think it’s time to move on. It did affect business in the hotel, and it also affected the entire hospitality industry in the country but we have bounced back."
Ashwini Thakkar, 59. Managing Director of Mercury Travels at Oberoi Trident. Escaped while the attack was on. "It’s been many years since the incident and I think it’s time to move on. It did affect business in the hotel, and it also affected the entire hospitality industry in the country but we have bounced back."
H V Girkar, 45. Firefighter who helped to rescue dozens of trapped guests from the Trident Oberoi Hotel.  "I feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to rescue so many people and save their lives. I feel very proud of the entire fire department."
H V Girkar, 45. Firefighter who helped to rescue dozens of trapped guests from the Trident Oberoi Hotel.  "I feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to rescue so many people and save their lives. I feel very proud of the entire fire department."
Kia Scherr, 57. Husband Allan and daughter Naomi were killed in the Oberoi Trident Hotel, while she was away in Florida, US. Has since co-founded the One Life Alliance to spread the message of peace. "I’ve forgiven the attackers and I channeled my energy towards spreading the message of peace all around the world."
Kia Scherr, 57. Husband Allan and daughter Naomi were killed in the Oberoi Trident Hotel, while she was away in Florida, US. Has since co-founded the One Life Alliance to spread the message of peace. "I’ve forgiven the attackers and I channeled my energy towards spreading the message of peace all around the world."
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Devin Thanki, 15. Was at the Taj Hotel with parents for dinner.  "The first year I was scared and refused to go back to The Taj, but now the fear has gone and it doesn’t affect me anymore. I don’t think of it that often although my friends find it very shocking when they heard about this incident."
Devin Thanki, 15. Was at the Taj Hotel with parents for dinner.  "The first year I was scared and refused to go back to The Taj, but now the fear has gone and it doesn’t affect me anymore. I don’t think of it that often although my friends find it very shocking when they heard about this incident."
Ritik Bhasin, 32. Was at the Taj Hotel for a meeting and helped Deven Thanki to escape with him.  "I don’t really think of the attacks today and it didn’t really affect me in any way. My life has gone back to normal."
Ritik Bhasin, 32. Was at the Taj Hotel for a meeting and helped Deven Thanki to escape with him.  "I don’t really think of the attacks today and it didn’t really affect me in any way. My life has gone back to normal."
Amrtia Saluja Raichand. Was at the Taj Hotel for a dinner and was rescued by firefighters. "Since that day I have paid more attention to my family and my career and try to give it my all. I began thinking about the frivolity of life and how it can all be taken away so easily. I value my life more now because you really never know if tomorrow will ever come."
Amrtia Saluja Raichand. Was at the Taj Hotel for a dinner and was rescued by firefighters. "Since that day I have paid more attention to my family and my career and try to give it my all. I began thinking about the frivolity of life and how it can all be taken away so easily. I value my life more now because you really never know if tomorrow will ever come."

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