National Desk: Every Indian's heart shivers at the mention of 26/11. That day was not just a terrorist attack, but a pain that shook the country. This attack had one face- Ajmal Amir Kasab, who was the only terrorist caught alive. After a long hearing in the court, he was sentenced to death. But the most shocking thing was that just before the hanging, he had demanded two tomatoes from the jail authorities.

Arrest and conviction from Juhu Chowpatty

Kasab was arrested from Juhu Chowpatty on 27 November 2008, a day after the Mumbai attacks. He was tried under dozens of sections - waging war against the country, murder, terrorism, the Explosives Act, and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. The case was heard in a special court from 2009 to 2010, and he was finally sentenced to death on 6 May 2010.

Mercy petition, last words and hanging

Kasab filed a mercy petition, but it was rejected in front of the sentiment of the country and the call for justice. He was hanged in Pune's Yerwada jail on the morning of 21 November 2012. His last words just before hanging were: "I swear by Allah, I will not make such a mistake again. May Allah forgive me."

But why did he ask for tomatoes?

He was informed about his punishment a day before his hanging. Keeping calm, he expressed his last wish – two tomatoes. The jail administration presented him with a whole basket. He picked up two of them, but ate only one tomato. Why did he do this? No one ever got the answer to this. Neither did Kasab give any reason, nor was anything recorded in the jail records. This mystery was buried with him.