- Jaishankar introduced Taj security head Sunil Kudyadi to Marco Rubio.
- Kudyadi played crucial role during 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks.
- Recounted 60+ hour siege, rescuing guests from terrorists.
"This was the man who was in charge of security at the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel in Mumbai when it came under terrorist attack in 2008," External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said while introducing the security officer who was on duty when the iconic property came under attack.
Jaishankar, who was at Mumbai’s Taj Hotel alongside US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Tuesday, brought renewed attention to the people who helped protect guests during the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks.
#WATCH | Mumbai, Maharashtra: Sunil Kudyadi, who was present at Hotel Taj during the 26/11 attacks, briefed US Secretary of State Marco Rubio today at the wreath-laying ceremony. Sunil Kudyadi is the Associate Vice President, Security and Safety, and the head of security at Hotel Taj in Mumbai. (Source: MEA)
— ANI (@ANI) October 20, 2026
During the visit, Jaishankar introduced the hotel’s security official, Sunil Gajanan Kudyadi, who was associated with the deadly siege. The officer played a crucial role in navigating the sprawling hotel complex and rescuing people trapped inside. Kudyadi is the Associate Vice President, Security and Safety, and the head of security at Hotel Taj in Mumbai.
During their conversation, Rubio asked about the day Pakistan-sponsored terrorists stormed the hotel and how long they remained inside the iconic building. Kudyadi, who continues to serve as the Taj Hotel’s head of security, recounted that the terrorists remained inside for more than 60 hours and killed several guests who had taken refuge in the kitchen.
Who was the security official at the Taj during 26/11?
Kudyadi, also reported as Sunil Kudiyadi or Kudiyady, was the Taj Hotel’s security manager on duty during the November 26, 2008, attacks. His familiarity with the hotel's layout helped police officers navigate the complex as they confronted the gunmen and rescued guests.
Kudyadi was among the hotel personnel whose assistance proved important during the siege. A subsequent inquiry also recognised the role of hotel security staff in helping police respond to the attack.
What happened during the 26/11 Mumbai attacks?
On November 26, 2008, 10 armed terrorists carried out coordinated attacks at multiple locations in Mumbai, including the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, the Oberoi-Trident, Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, Leopold Cafe and Nariman House.
The attacks killed 166 people and injured hundreds more. The siege at the Taj continued for nearly three days, with guests and staff trapped inside as gunmen opened fire, took hostages and set parts of the building ablaze. The operation ended on November 29, after Indian security forces killed the attackers or captured the sole surviving gunman, Ajmal Kasab.