As the nation solemnly commemorates the 16th anniversary of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, an old interview of Salman Khan has resurfaced on social media, where he is seen saying that the Pakistan government was not behind the attack. In a 2010 interview with a Pakistani television channel, Salman made comments about the attacks that were deemed insensitive by many at the time.
What Salman Khan had said in a 2010 interview about 26/11
In the video currently making rounds online, Salman can be heard saying, “Too much hype has been created around the 26/11 attacks because elite people were targeted. Attacks have happened in trains and small towns too, but no one talked about it so much.” He further stated, “Everybody knows that the Pakistani government was not behind it and it was a terrorist attack. More than anything, our security had failed. We have had a lot of attacks earlier, and all of them were not from Pakistan. They were from within. This time, because there was Taj, Oberoi were under attack, everyone stood up. We had bomb blast earlier, there have been attacks in buses and trains.”
Salman’s remarks stirred a storm back then, with many accusing the actor of downplaying the tragedy and absolving Pakistan of responsibility. His comments have resurfaced today, sparking fresh trolling on social media.
Just came across this clip of Salman Khan talking about the 26/11 Attacks to a Pakistani news channel and apparently giving a clean chit to the Pakistan Govt! pic.twitter.com/gYSvGkevxU
— Harpreet (@CestMoiz) October 22, 2024
In response to the backlash back in 2010, Salman had issued a public apology, asserting that his words had been misinterpreted. He clarified on his X (formerly Twitter) handle, saying his remarks were “twisted” and taken out of context.
About the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack
For the uninitiated, the 26/11 attacks unfolded on November 26, 2008, when 10 terrorists from Lashkar-e-Taiba carried out coordinated assaults at multiple locations across Mumbai. Their targets included the iconic Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, Oberoi Trident Hotel, Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, Leopold Cafe, Nariman House, and Cama Hospital, among others. The horrifying siege lasted nearly 60 hours and claimed the lives of at least 166 people, including 20 security personnel and 26 foreign nationals, while leaving over 300 injured.
