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26/11 Mumbai Attacks: Intelligence Warnings and Failures

Before 26/11, Indian agencies issued about 20 alerts from August 2006 warning of sea-borne, multiple and commando-style attacks, some naming the Taj, the Obero…

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THE WARNING

The first sea-route alert

Central agencies warned that Lashkar-e-Taiba was preparing to send fidayeen into India by sea. About 20 alerts followed.

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THE TARGETS

The Taj, CST and Oberoi named

Police alerts named the Taj, CST and the Oberoi. The IB said LeT was interested in the Taj. Police briefed hotel security.

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THE SEARCH

A suspect vessel, not found

Coast Guard ships and aircraft searched for a suspected LeT vessel. The coordinates were inside Pakistani waters. Nothing was found.

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THE LANDING

Dinghies at Badhwar Park

Ten gunmen came ashore in Colaba from a hijacked trawler. Every police patrol boat was off Worli that night.

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THE ATTACK

CST, Leopold, Taj, Oberoi

Gunmen attacked CST, Leopold Cafe, the Taj, the Oberoi-Trident and Nariman House, 13 locations in all.

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THE SIEGE

NSG from near Delhi

The NSG was requested at about 11:30 p.m. and arrived next morning. The siege ended at 8:20 a.m. on 29 November. 166 were killed.

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THE REFORMS

NIA, NSG hubs, coastal radars

India created the NIA, opened four NSG hubs, gave the Navy and Coast Guard new roles and built a coastal radar chain.

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THE TRIALS

Rana and Hafiz Saeed

Rana, extradited in 2025, faces charge arguments from 16 November 2026. Mumbai seeks to try Hafiz Saeed in absentia.

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