Heroic Marine Commando Survived 5 Gunshots While Saving 150 Lives in Mumbai's 26/11 Taj Hotel Attack

Praveen Kumar Teotia was a Marine Commando who demonstrated extraordinary heroism during the Mumbai terror attacks.

New Delhi:

The peaceful evening of November 26, 2008, in Mumbai was violently disrupted by gunfire, explosions, and flames. What began as a routine night transformed into a horrific siege that tested the resilience of the city's inhabitants, left countless families traumatized, and became permanently etched in the nation's collective memory.

During approximately 60 hours of intense conflict, numerous stories of remarkable bravery emerged - individuals who confronted terrorists directly, and everyday citizens who displayed heroic actions while performing their duties.

Among these heroes was Praveen Kumar Teotia, a former member of MARCOS (Marine Commandos), who received the prestigious Shaurya Chakra for his exceptional valor at the Taj Mahal hotel during the 26/11 terror attack.

Teotia sustained five bullet wounds that day, including one that damaged his ear and another that fractured his ribs and injured his right lung. Despite these severe injuries and operating in darkness where the terrorists had the tactical advantage of familiarity with the surroundings, he engaged the attackers until his fellow commandos successfully evacuated 150 people from an adjacent hall.

"I was part of two MARCOS teams that joined one already at the location. Altogether, we were 24-25 commandos who entered the premises through different access points," he recalled.

MARCOS, an elite special forces unit of the Indian Navy established in February 1987, is renowned for its expertise in unconventional warfare, counter-terrorism operations, and high-risk mission execution. These commandos are highly respected for their professionalism and versatility in aquatic, aerial, and terrestrial environments.

The elite force has participated in several significant operations, including Operation Cactus in the Maldives (1988) to prevent a coup, the Kargil War (1999), and numerous anti-piracy missions. When asked about his thoughts during the Mumbai attack, Teotia was clear about his priorities.

"At that moment, I had no specific thoughts except how to neutralize the terrorists and save innocent lives," said the 40-year-old, who now practices law in Delhi after being discharged from service.

"For a soldier, serving one's country and its citizens by eliminating threats against them is a privilege," he emphasized.

"I participated in several operations in Kashmir as well, but at the Taj that day, I felt anger toward these foreign terrorists who dared to challenge our nation," he added.

Teotia is believed to be the only survivor of such severe lung damage, spending 19 days under intensive care in the hospital.

Remarkably, despite his damaged lung, he continues to participate in marathons and maintains his fitness and agility. During those critical November hours, while Teotia and his colleagues were risking their lives and rescuing civilians, a young reporter named Mahrukh Inayet was among the journalists gathered outside the Taj.

Inayet distinguished herself through her comprehensive and precise reporting that continued uninterrupted for over 60 hours. Media outlets praised her for reporting "at the center of it all" and for her "excellent work."

Reflecting on that period, she shared, "I had been reporting outside Mumbai's iconic Taj Hotel for nearly 36 hours. By then, approximately a hundred journalists from across the country and worldwide were covering what had become Mumbai's most devastating terror attack."

"I didn't hear the gunshot, but a bullet struck somewhere to my left, and someone shouted 'duck – they're firing at us'."

She lay flat on the street with the Taj visible before her.

"Simultaneously, one camera focused on me while another remained trained on the hotel. My only concern was ensuring the public knew what was happening on the ground."

The now-acclaimed journalist later discovered that the image of her reporting while prone on the ground, disregarding crossfire, had become an iconic moment in field reporting.

"I was completely unaware. I was simply trying to understand the situation and report it as calmly as possible," she reflected, adding, "But maintaining composure was extremely difficult given the circumstances."

Numerous other accounts of courage and dedication exist, including many whose contributions may remain underacknowledged, yet all played vital roles in the country's resistance against terrorism.