MEA handed over a diplomatic note to Pakistan seeking expeditious trial of those responsible for the attack

Marking the 13th anniversary of the 26/11 Mumbai terrorist attacks on Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said India cannot forget the wounds of the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks.

At the same time, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) summoned a senior Pakistani diplomat to demand the expeditious trial of those responsible for the carnage in the country’s financial hub.

“India can’t forget the wounds of the Mumbai attacks. Now, today’s India is combating terrorism with a new policy and new ways,” Modi said in a brief video on the attacks posted on Twitter by MEA Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi.

“I pay my homage to all those who died in the Mumbai attacks. Many brave police personnel were martyred in this attack. I also pay homage to them,” he said.

Meanwhile, a statement issued by the MEA titled, ‘Thirteen years of seeking justice for the victims of 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks’ said that a senior diplomat from the High Commission of Pakistan in India was summoned by the MEA on Friday.

“A Note Verbale reiterating India’s call for an expeditious trial in the Mumbai terror attacks case, and calling on the Government of Pakistan to abide by its commitment to not allow territories under its control for terrorism against India was handed over to him,” it stated.

“It is a matter of deep anguish that even after 13 years of this heinous terror attack, the families of 166 victims from 15 countries across the globe still await closure, with Pakistan showing little sincerity in bringing the perpetrators to justice,” the statement explained.

Noting that the 26/11 terrorist attack was planned, executed and launched from Pakistani territory, the MEA statement clarified, the former Prime Minister of Pakistan had gone on record and admitted that the terrorists were sent from Pakistan’s soil.

“We once again call on the Government of Pakistan to give up double standards and to expeditiously bring the perpetrators of the horrific attack to justice. This is not just a matter of Pakistan’s accountability to the families of the innocent victims who fell to terrorists, but also an international obligation,” it said.

“The Government of India will continue to make every effort to seek justice for the families of the victims and the martyrs,” the statement reiterated.

On Sunday, the Government and people of India somberly remember the victims of this dastardly attack and the valiant security personnel who laid down their lives to protect ours, it mentioned.

“The President, Prime Minister and External Affairs Minister, in separate messages, have expressed their firm solidarity with the families of the victims,” the statement informed.

“A solemn memorial event was organised earlier today by the State Government of Maharashtra at the Police Memorial in Mumbai,” it informed.

Recalling that fourteen other countries lost their nationals in these attacks, the MEA statement said, Indian Missions in these countries are organizing memorial events remembering the victims, both national and foreign, reminding the world of the continuing global threat of terrorism.

“Senior government representatives from the host Governments, family members of victims and survivors will be participating in these solemn events,” it further added.

The Mumbai attacks, which began on November 26, 2008, were carried out by a 10-member Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorist cell and resulted in the deaths of 166 people, including 26 foreign citizens. Seven LeT operatives were detained in Pakistan, including operations leader Zakiur Rahman Lakhvi, but their trial has made little progress.
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