US Homeland Security Secretary pays tribute to 26/11 victims

Mumbai, May 24: US Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano today (May 24) paid tribute to the martyrs and victims of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack by laying a wreath at a police memorial in south Mumbai.

After laying the wreath, she observed silence for a brief period at the memorial, built in memory of the 16 policemen, who laid down their lives during the three-day siege at the Police Gymkhana here.

This is Napolitano's first visit to India since the 2008 terror attacks, in which 166 people were killed.

Napolitano will be in India till May 27, with stops in Mumbai and New Delhi, and will meet representatives of private industry to share best practices to promote homeland security and co-ordinate counter-terrorism and law enforcement co-operation between the two countries.

During her stay in Mumbai, she will also meet government officials, local law enforcements, civil society organisations and business persons, a statement issued by the US embassy said.

In New Delhi, secretary Napolitano and Home Minister P Chidambaram will jointly launch the US-India homeland security dialogue, a critical new component of the India-US strategic dialogue that will increase communication and information sharing between the two countries on counter terrorism and other issues that affects our security, the statement said.

The dialogue will also highlight protecting the global supply chain, combating illicit financing and enhancing cyber-security, it added.

PTI