Santosh Veer suffered deep injuries in both thighs while trying to stop the gunmen from escaping. He and a friend had picked up paver blocks and hurled them at the terrorists, managing to trap them inside Nariman House for nearly an hour
Santosh Veer, 45, a Colaba resident, was badly injured during the 26/11 terror attack at Nariman House. Pic/Shadab Khan
SANTOSH Veer, 45, a Colaba resident, was badly injured during the 26/11 terror attack at Nariman House after three terrorists hurled a hand grenade at him. Veer suffered deep injuries in both thighs while trying to stop the gunmen from escaping. He and a friend had picked up paver blocks and hurled them at the terrorists, managing to trap them inside Nariman House for nearly an hour. Seventeen years later, Veer told mid-day the pain from multiple surgeries remains unbearable.
To honour the memory of the victims, Veer has organised a blood donation camp near Nariman House every year for the past 17 years. The attack, he said, changed the course of his life and pushed him toward social work.
Recalling the night, Veer said, “On 26/11, there was an India-England match, and India was winning. Around 9.45 pm, I heard a loud sound like firecrackers. When I checked, I saw three men firing at the crowd. We immediately picked up paver blocks and started throwing them at the attackers. We trapped them inside Nariman House until the police arrived. I saw guns in their hands.”
“One of them suddenly threw a hand grenade at me. I suffered serious injuries in my thighs. I was rushed to St George Hospital and later to JJ Hospital. I was hospitalised for 18 days. Doctors performed multiple surgeries and saved my life,” he said.
“This incident changed my entire life. Every year on 26/11, I organise a blood donation camp in memory of those who lost their lives. The pain in my thighs is still severe, but I have never stopped. I accepted the challenges and restarted my life. Walking, sitting, everything hurts. But I am alive, and this is my second life.”
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