The Untold 26/11 Story: How One Nurse Protected 20 Pregnant Women from Terrorists
A nurse's courage during the 26/11 Mumbai attacks saved 20 pregnant women and helped deliver a baby girl, making Anjali Kulthe one of the unsung heroes of that tragic night.
When people remember the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, they often think of the Taj Hotel, CST station, and the Oberoi Trident. But inside Cama and Albless Hospital, another story of courage was unfolding.
On the night of 26 November 2008, nurse Anjali Kulthe was on duty in the maternity ward when terrorists Ajmal Kasab and Abu Ismail entered the hospital premises after attacking CST.
After witnessing gunfire and seeing security guards shot, Anjali quickly realised the danger. She rushed back to the maternity ward, locked the entrance, and hid nearly 20 pregnant women, staff members, and relatives inside a small pantry room. In complete darkness, with phones on silent, they remained hidden while gunshots and grenade blasts echoed through the hospital.
Then came an even greater challenge. One of the women went into labour. With terrorists still inside the building, Anjali carefully guided her through the hospital to the labour room, where she safely delivered a baby girl. The child was later nicknamed "Goli" because she was born in the middle of the attack.
For nearly five hours, Anjali and the hospital staff protected patients while the terrorists roamed the six-storey building armed with AK-47s.
Years later, Anjali helped identify Ajmal Kasab and said she could never forget the horror of that night.
Today, she is remembered as one of the unsung heroes of 26/11—a nurse whose courage saved lives when Mumbai faced one of its darkest nights.
Her inspiring story has now been brought to the big screen in the film Bharat Bhagya Vidhata, starring Kangana Ranaut, released on 12 June 2026.
