Ahead of the sixth anniversary of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack, All-India Anti-Terrorist Front (AIATF) Chairman M S Bitta and Bollywood actors Akshay Kumar and Vivek Oberoi today commemorated the martyrs who laid down their lives while fighting terrorists.
The meeting 'Zara Yaad Karo Qurbani' was organised at Parsee Gymkhana ground in south Mumbai to pay respects to the 26/11 martyrs, and to uphold secularism, promote national integration and spread mass awareness against terrorism.
On the occasion, Bitta along with the actors and children from various city schools vowed to be united to fight terrorism and communalism and to sacrifice their lives, if required, for the country.
The gathering also pledged take forward the 'Swachh Bharat Abhiyan' to unite India.
Later, Bitta, Akshay and Vivek paid tributes at the 26/11 memorial site in the nearby Police Gymkhana.
Addressing the gathering at Parsee Gymkhana, Bitta said, "I proudly remember the martyrs with my salute. Our youth should come forward and join security forces to protect the country. If required, one should not stay behind to sacrifice life for the nation. We should launch an all out war against terrorism."
Akshay read out lyrics of a song, 'Suno Gaur Se Duniya Waalo, Buri Nazar Na Humpe Daalo...', which tells the world that India will always be ahead.
On the occasion, Vivek Oberoi said, "On Sunday, so many children gathered here to commemorate the heroes of 26/11. This shows your patriotism and spirit. You do not need to face bullets to become a hero. By doing small things for the nation, one can become a hero too."
On November 26, 2008, 10 Pakistani terrorists arrived by sea route and opened fire indiscriminately at people killing 166, including 18 security personnel, and injuring several others, besides damaging property worth crores.
The then Maharashtra ATS chief Hemant Karkare, Army Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan, Mumbai's Additional Police Commissioner Ashok Kamte and Senior Police Inspector Vijay Salaskar were among those killed on the fateful night.
