The horrors of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks remain etched in India’s memory, but one lesser-known hostage crisis unfolded on a BEST bus near Metro Adlabs. As the city marks another anniversary, we revisit the terror of that night—when a lone gunman turned a bus into a mobile death trap.
The 26/11 Attacks: Mumbai Under Siege
On November 26, 2008, ten Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists infiltrated Mumbai via the Arabian Sea, targeting landmarks like the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, CST, Leopold Café, and Nariman House. Amid the chaos, terrorist Ismail Khan hijacked a Tata Motors bus (MH-01-G-1658), turning it into a nightmare for passengers.
The Bus Hijack: 20 Minutes of Terror
Around 9:30 PM, Khan—armed with an AK-47 and grenades—boarded the bus after it left CST. Passengers, including office workers and students, were suddenly trapped. Khan ordered driver Zakir Hussain to head toward JJ Colony, but police barricades near the JJ flyover blocked their path.
Realizing escape was impossible, Khan opened fire, killing a 30-year-old bank employee. In a split-second decision, Hussain crashed the bus into a divider, allowing passengers to flee. Khan murdered Hussain and another passenger before escaping—only to be later captured near Cama Hospital.
Aftermath: Bravery and Legacy
The standoff lasted just 20 minutes, but its impact was lasting:
– Zakir Hussain received the Kirti Chakra (India’s second-highest peacetime gallantry award) posthumously.
– Survivors like Ramesh Talwar still recall the terror: “I hear the gunshots even today.”
– The abandoned BEST bus, now rusting in a depot, bears bullet scars from that night.
How 26/11 Changed India’s Security
The attacks exposed critical counterterrorism failures, leading to:
✔ Formation of the National Investigation Agency (NIA)
✔ Upgraded coastal and Quick Response Teams (QRTs)
✔ Tighter intelligence-sharing protocols
Yet, 15 years later, Mumbai remains vigilant. Memorials at CST and the Taj stand as reminders—while the unyielding spirit of its people endures.
— Reported by [Your Name] for NextMinuteNews
