Mumbai, Nov 21 (IANS): Survivors and relatives of victims of the 2008 Mumbai terror mayhem Wednesday hailed the execution of Pakistani national Ajmal Amir Kasab, the sole surviving gunman of the attack.

Kasab was hanged in a Pune's Yerwada Jail at 7.30 a.m. Wednesday, after his mercy plea was rejected by President Pranab Mukherjee earlier this month.

"I feel our Diwali has started today (Wednesday). I have burst crackers, distributed sweets in the neighbourhood and celebrated the news. My mother will finally be able to sleep peacefully. We have got our closure," said Sachin, son of the slain Assistant Sub- Inspector Balasaheb Bhonsale.

Family of Tukaram Omble, the assistant sub-inspector who grappled with heavily armed Kasab and held on to him despite being injured before the terrorist was caught alive, also welcomed the move.

"A terrorist like him should have been hanged in public," said Eknath, Omble'e brother.

"My family is happy. Through the media I had appealed to the president and I am glad that right decisions have been taken," he added.

Smita Salaskar, wife of police encounter specialist Vijay Salaskar, who was killed in the 26/11 attacks, said it is the beginning of the justice in the case.

"I am very satisfied. However, if my husband had good weapon to defend himself during the attack, situation would have been different," said Smita, hoping that better weapons will be provided to policemen now on.

Wife of CST ticket inspector Sushil Kumar Sharma, Ragini was elated. "I just cannot express in words how happy I am. I hope all of us who have lost our loved ones are able to close this chapter now," she said.

Vishnu Zende, an announcer at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST), the busiest railway station here which was one of the first targets of the attack, said: "This is something I never expected to hear...And in such an abrupt way. However, my happiness knows no bounds."

Zende saved many lives by making announcements over the public address system at the station about the terrorist attack and asking commuters and passengers to move away.