A group of ten terrorists from the Pakistan-based militant organization Lashkar-e-Taiba launched an unprecedented series of attacks across several sites in Mumbai, India. Beginning on the evening of the attacks, gunmen arrived by sea and targeted prominent locations, including the CST railway station, where many commuters were killed, and the historic Leopold Café, a popular hub for both locals and tourists. Most notably, the attackers besieged two luxury hotels, the Taj Mahal Palace and the Oberoi Trident, leading to a lengthy hostage situation and gun battles with security forces that lasted for hours. The episode was marked by chaos and took the lives of approximately 175 people, including foreign nationals, while injuring over 300 individuals.

The attacks were meticulously planned and executed, showcasing the operational capabilities of Lashkar-e-Taiba. The complexity of the assault pointed to a high level of coordination and an intention to instill fear and disrupt social order. Various international personalities and dignitaries were present in the city at the time, raising the profile of the incident globally. Coverage of the siege also revealed the horrifying scenarios playing out inside the hotels, contributing to a significant international outcry against terrorism and Pakistan's role in it. Following the attacks, the Indian government faced severe criticism for its lack of preparedness and failure to prevent the attack despite prior intelligence warnings.

In the aftermath, India introduced stricter counter-terrorism measures, and the attacks significantly affected India-Pakistan relations, spiraling tensions and discussions regarding cross-border terrorism. The incident also marked a pivotal moment for India's security apparatus, prompting reforms and new policies aimed at preventing similar occurrences in the future, while the enduring impact of these attacks can still be felt in contemporary discussions about global security threats and urban safety.