Mumbai 26/11 terror attack took his father and left a wound that stayed

Lokesh Waghela, the deceased’s son, near the Leopold Cafe in Colaba on November 24. Pic/Shadab Khan

Lokesh Waghela witnessed something as a 12-year-old that still haunts him to this day. His father, 42-year-old chemist Subhash Waghela, was shot dead outside Leopold Café while fleeing towards the Taj Hotel after terrorists hurled a hand grenade inside the eatery, and opened indiscriminate fire.

Lokesh told mid-day, "Whenever I hear about 26/11, my eyes fill with tears. It is still too painful to accept that my father is no more. This date hurts me and my family deeply," he said. He recalled playing with friends moments before Subhash suddenly arrived and sent all the children home.

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"It was fate that he saved us. I saw him run toward his chemist shop. When he saw the terrorists carrying guns, he tried to reach the shop, but one of them fired at him," Lokesh said.

Subhash Waghela, who was gunned down on November 26, 2008. Pic/By Special arrangement

For a few minutes, no one dared to step onto the road. Somehow, we managed to rush him to the hospital later, where he was declared dead. The bullet had entered the lower part of his stomach and exited his body.

Lokesh said the date continues to disturb the family.

"Losing my father in such a horrific manner is still unbearable. We received help from Tata, and for the past 17 years, my mother has been getting Rs 5000 per month as widow assistance and Rs 3000 for medical help. We thank Ratan Tata for supporting our family," he added.