London [UK], November 24 (ANI): UK-based international relations and security analyst Chris Blackburn has called for increased vigilance and accountability for the planners of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, sharing his latest article in Global Order titled “Mumbai 26/11 at Seventeen: Memory, Justice, and the End of Impunity.”
Posting the article on his X account, Blackburn wrote, “Mumbai’s answer to terror was not silence, fear or division, but a continuation of the very coexistence that the gunmen had tried to break.”
In his article, Blackburn noted that each anniversary of the 26/11 attacks demands reflection not only on the loss of lives but also on the scale, planning, and intent behind the assault that reshaped India’s security and diplomatic responses. He wrote that Mumbai—symbolizing financial power, cultural diversity, and global connectivity—was deliberately chosen to maximize impact, with the attackers exploiting its dense mix of commerce, faith, and movement.
He explained, “Each year, the anniversary of 26/11 forces us to confront more than just the loss of lives. It prompts us to reflect on the anatomy of an attack that transformed India’s approach to security, diplomacy, and counter-terrorism. Mumbai was not chosen at random. It represented India’s global face—a city of financial strength, cinematic imagination, and multicultural coexistence.”
Blackburn traced the origins of the plot to Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba, outlining the group’s indoctrination, military-style training, and support from elements within Pakistan’s security establishment. He also highlighted how operative David Coleman Headley conducted detailed reconnaissance of key targets, including the Taj, the Oberoi Trident, and Leopold Cafe.
The article recounted the bravery of Mumbai Police officers who confronted the gunmen with limited resources, gaining critical time for the National Security Guard to begin Operation Black Tornado. Blackburn emphasized the acts of courage displayed by hotel staff, firefighters, medical workers, and civilians who responded with determination amid the crisis.
He acknowledged India’s efforts to strengthen its security architecture since the attack, citing improved intelligence-sharing, enhanced coastal surveillance, and faster response mechanisms. He also referenced Operation Sindoor 2025 as evidence of India’s readiness to counter cross-border terror infrastructure.
However, Blackburn warned that several planners and facilitators of 26/11 remain in Pakistan, shielded by political ambiguity and institutional inaction. He argued that terror groups continue to evolve and rebrand, while global complacency risks normalizing terrorism as an unavoidable consequence of interconnected societies.
The article underscored the importance of remembrance—not solely for mourning, but to ensure clarity and accountability. Blackburn wrote that the attackers were “trained, funded and directed” and sought to exploit the perceived vulnerabilities of an open society. Preventing another Mumbai, he argued, requires recognition of the networks that enabled the assault.
Despite the tragedy, Blackburn highlighted Mumbai’s resilience, noting how hotels were rebuilt, commuters returned to CST, and cafes in Colaba resumed their vibrant activity. He stated that the city’s commitment to coexistence remains its most enduring memorial.
He concluded that the world owes the victims of 26/11 not only condolences but also vigilance, honesty, and a refusal to normalize the violence that sought to divide the city. “Mumbai stood tall in 2008. Today, it stands taller,” Blackburn wrote.
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