Prime Minister Narendra Modi pays homage to martyrs who lost their lives in 2001 Parliament attack to mark its 19th anniversary, at Parliament House in New Delhi, Sunday, Dec. 13, 2020. (image Credit: PTI)
Prominent politicians have joined hands to commemorate the tragic loss of 9 lives during the 2001 attack on Parliament by Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorists on the anniversary of the terrible attack. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Ram Nath Kovind, Union home minister Amit Shah, defence minister Rajnath Singh and other Union ministers paid tributes to those who died in the terrorist attack 20 years ago.
"I pay my tributes to all those security personnel who were martyred in the line of duty during the Parliament attack in 2001. Their service to the nation and supreme sacrifice continues to inspire every citizen," PM Modi posted on Twitter.
"I pay homage to brave security personnel who laid down their lives on this day in 2001, defending the Parliament of the world's largest democracy against a dastardly terrorist attack. The nation shall forever remain grateful to them for their supreme sacrifice," President Ram Nath Kovind wrote on Twitter.
Defense Minister Rajnath Singh said that the "courage and supreme sacrifice" of the deceased would be remembered by all Indians and paid his respects to the lives lost.
Six Delhi Police personnel, two Parliament Security Service personnel, and a gardener perished during the attack which was launched while approximately 100 prominent politicians and government officials were attending Rajya and Lok Sabha meetings. Erstwhile Home Minister L K Advani was also present in the building at the time.
The terrorists infiltrated the parliament complex using a car that had faked security stickers and then engaged in a shootout with security personnel after ramming their car into the vehicle of the Indian Vice President Krishan Kant, who was also inside the Parliament at the time. A
At least 18 others were injured during the attack.
Delhi Police officials said that gunmen received instructions from Pakistan and the operation was carried out under the guidance of Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) agency.