Remembering 26/11 hero Tukaram Omble who exposed Pak: Story of supreme sacrifice

On the night of November 26, 2008, Mumbai found itself trapped in a nightmare. All you could hear were gunshots and the sirens from police cars and ambulances. Ten heavily armed terrorists from Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) infiltrated the city, sowing chaos and death across iconic landmarks.
Gunshots echoed in the Taj Mahal Hotel, the Oberoi Trident, and the Nariman House while explosions ripped through Leopold Café and CST Railway Station.
Among these harbingers of terror was Ajmal Kasab, a young but ruthless terrorist who, along with his accomplice Ismail Khan, turned CST into a killing field.
They wielded AK-47 rifles, spraying bullets at innocent travellers. By the time they left the station, they had claimed dozens of lives and left a trail of blood and horror in their wake.
Amidst this nightmarish chaos, Assistant Sub-Inspector Tukaram Omble’s sharp instincts played a crucial role in identifying and capturing Ajmal Kasab despite an elaborate ploy by the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) to mislead authorities.
According to former Police Commissioner of Mumbai Rakesh Maria’s memoir, the terrorists, including Kasab, were equipped with fake Hindu IDs and symbolic threads like the kalava to frame the attacks as “Hindu terror.”
However, Omble’s keen eye and bravery cut through this deceit. As Kasab and his accomplice approached the Girgaum Chowpatty barricade, Omble recognised Kasab from the descriptions relayed over police channels.
In a heroic act, he engaged Kasab directly, using his own body to restrain the terrorist and ensure his capture. This moment not only thwarted the Lashkar-e-Taiba’s deceptive narrative but also provided crucial evidence that exposed the real masterminds behind the attack.

Mumbai during the attacks of 26/11.

As Kasab and Khan fled CST, they hijacked a Skoda car, planning to continue their rampage. However, Mumbai Police were mobilised, determined to stop them. The city’s police force, though under-equipped compared to the terrorists, had an unwavering resolve.
The police tracked the terrorists’ movements and set up barricades at Girgaum Chowpatty. Tukaram Omble and his team were part of this operation.
They knew they were outgunned; the terrorists carried automatic rifles and grenades, while most officers had only service revolvers and lathis (wooden batons). Yet, they stood firm, ready to defend their city at any cost.

Tukaram Omble 26/11 hero.

As the terrorists’ car approached the roadblock, it slowed. Khan, who was driving, opened fire. The police retaliated, and in the ensuing exchange of bullets, Khan was killed. But Kasab, his weapon still loaded, leapt out of the car, prepared to fight to the death.
In that heart-stopping moment, Tukaram Omble made a decision that would define his legacy. Armed only with a lathi, he charged at Kasab, grabbing the barrel of his AK-47.
The terrorist opened fire, and bullets tore into Omble’s body. Yet, the brave officer held on with unyielding strength, using his own body to shield his comrades.
His sacrifice gave the other policemen the critical seconds they needed. They overpowered Kasab, disarmed him, and pinned him to the ground.
Tukaram Omble fell, succumbing to his injuries, but his courage ensured the capture of the only terrorist taken alive during the 26/11 attacks.
Kasab’s capture was a turning point. During his interrogation, he revealed vital details about the meticulous planning of the attacks, the involvement of Lashkar-e-Taiba, and the support from elements within Pakistan.
This information not only helped India bolster its counter-terrorism measures but also brought global attention to the menace of cross-border terrorism.

Terriorist Ajmal Kasab. (Photo: Reuters)

Tukaram Omble’s extraordinary courage was honoured posthumously with the Ashoka Chakra, India’s highest peacetime gallantry award. His story is not just one of sacrifice; it is a testament to the power of resilience, selflessness, and the unshakable will to protect.
On that fateful night, Omble stood as a bulwark against terror, proving that even in the face of insurmountable odds, one man’s courage can change the course of history. As the city mourned its losses, it also celebrated the hero who gave his life so others could live.
Even today, as the nation remembers the horrors of 26/11, Tukaram Omble’s name shines bright, a beacon of hope and a reminder that true bravery lies in standing up for others, no matter the cost.
– Written by Kavya Khandelwal