India - Mumbai attacks anniversary

Ceremonies, prayers mark Mumbai atrocities one year on

Article published on the 2009-11-26 Latest update 2009-11-26 07:40 TU

A man walks with the Indian national flag Thursday in front of the Taj Mahal hotel
(Photo: Reuters)

India has marked the first anniversary of last year's terrorist attacks on Mumbai with a show of security and ceremonies to honour the 166 victims killed. On the eve of the anniversary, a Pakistani anti-terror court charged seven suspects in connection with the attacks.

The day of remembrance came as India continued to push Pakistan, where the gunmen are believed to have trained, to crack down on extremist groups.

Police paraded through Mumbai and abseiled down tall buildings, showing off armour-plated and amphibious vehicles bought as part of a 27-million-dollar upgrade package.

Prayers and vigils are also planned at several attack sites where the victims, including 25 foreigners, were killed in strikes that have been compared to those on September 11, 2001 in the United States.

The two luxury hotels attacked, the Taj Mahal Palace and Tower and the Trident-Oberoi, both took out full-page newspaper advertisements, paying tribute to those who died and thanking guests, staff and the security services.

The gunmen arrived in Mumbai by boat before hitting their targets, which also included a popular tourist restaurant, Jewish centre and the main railway station.

The 60-hour siege, which was beamed live across the world on television, shocked the country, sparked a public backlash against Pakistan and led to an international investigation.

A day earlier, seven men were indicted at a high security prison court in the city of Rawalpindi. All those in the dock denied the charges.

Those arrested included the alleged mastermind of the operation, Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi, and alleged Lashkar-e-Taiba operative Zarar Shah.

The only gunman captured by Indian security sources, Mohammed Ajmal Amir Kasab, confessed to his role in the killings during a high-profile trial in Mumbai, which could result in him receiving the death penalty.