New Delhi, Nov 25 (IANS) Congress president Sonia Gandhi Wednesday said that India had ‘emerged stronger’ after the 26/11 attacks and the terrorists had also ‘miserably failed’ to break the spirit of Mumbai.

‘If the terrorists were seeking to divide our nation, create chaos and divert us from our chosen path, they miscalculated totally. India has emerged stronger,’ Gandhi said in a statement on the eve of the first anniversary of 26/11.

‘We have learnt many hard lessons from the tragedy of 26/11. But we have also learnt that no terrorist attack will ever be able to hit at the spirit of Mumbai and its people. If that was the aim of the terrorist strike, they miserably failed.’

At least 166 people were killed in the mayhem by 10 Pakistani terrorists in India’s commercial capital Mumbai a year ago. The terrorists sneaked into the city by sea and went on a killing spree at chosen spots.

‘It was an assault on a city and its spirit of vitality and enterprise, its rich pluralistic culture, where people of different faiths and communities live together in harmony. It was an assault on the very idea of India,’ Gandhi said.

She said it was a brutal and wanton assault on innocent men, women and children.

Saluting the memory of those who perished in the attack, she said they included unsuspecting victims whom destiny had placed in the path of terrorist bullets, the brave officers and men of Mumbai police and National Security Guard and hotel staff who were killed as they tried to shelter their guests.

‘We continue to draw strength and inspiration from the heroism and humanity displayed by so many ordinary citizens who risked their lives to save others,’ she said, referring to work done by doctors, nurses, ambulance staff and fire department personnel.

She said in the past year the country had witnessed courage, resilience and determination by the residents of Mumbai.

Saluting the indomitable spirit of the people of India on behalf of her party, Gandhi paid homage to those who lost their lives in the attack.