President Droupadi Murmu, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar and, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday paid tributes to the brave hearts who sacrificed their lives defending Parliament during the 2001 terror attack.
In her tributes, President Murmu said the nation remained deeply grateful to the brave hearts. Reiterating India's unwavering resolve to combat terrorism, she said the nation stood united against the forces of terror.
Terrorists of Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed attacked the Parliament complex on this day in 2001, killing nine people. All five terrorists were gunned down by the security forces.
"I pay my humble tribute to the brave hearts who sacrificed their lives defending our Parliament on this day in 2001. Their courage and selfless service continue to inspire us. The nation remains deeply grateful to them and their families," the president said in a social media post.
"On this day, I reiterate India's unwavering resolve to combat terrorism. Our nation stands united against the forces of terror," she added.
Vice President Dhankhar, Prime Minister Modi and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, several Union ministers and MPs on Friday paid floral tributes to those who laid down their lives in the 2001 terror attack on Parliament 23 years ago.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Home Minister Amit Shah, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju also paid tributes at an event organised outside the old Parliament building -- Samvidhan Sadan. Several leaders were seen interacting with kin of those who were killed in the attack.
Central Industrial Security Force(CISF)personnel offered salute or 'salami' at the venue after a which a moment of silence was observed to mark the anniversary. Till last year, the Central Reserve Police Force(CRPF)used to offer 'salami shastra' (present arms).
The attack was carried out by five armed terrorists but personnel from Parliament Security Service, CRPF and Delhi Police foiled the attack as no terrorist was able to enter the building.
Six Delhi Police personnel, two Parliament Security Service personnel, a gardener and a TV video journalist were killed in the attack. All five terrorists were gunned down in the forecourt of the then Parliament building.
The Lok Sabha paid rich tributes to the security personnel who laid down their lives in foiling a terror attack on Parliament on December 13, 2001.
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla solemnly reiterated the commitment of the Lower House to fight terrorism and pledged to protect the unity, integrity and sovereignty of the nation.
"This House and the entire nation solemnly remembers unfortunate incident of December 13, 2001, when some terrorists attacked India's Parliament, the greatest symbol of our democracy," Birla said as soon as the House convened at 11:00 am.
"Our alert security personnel deployed to ensure security of the Parliament premises displayed extraordinary courage and foiled this attack," he said.
The Lok Sabha speaker said eight personnel from the Parliament Security Service, Delhi Police and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) laid down their lives while courageously repulsing the terror attack. One worker of the Central Public Works Department also laid down his life in the incident, he said.
‘This House offers humble tributes to all those who made the supreme sacrifice in protecting Parliament on December 13, 2001," Birla said.
"This House reiterates our commitment to fight terrorism and the pledge to protect the unity, integrity and sovereignty of our mother land," he added. The Lok Sabha members stood in silence for a brief while as a mark of respect to the martyrs. Rajya Sabha also paid tributes to the bravehearts.
Prime Minister Modi said in a social media post
"Paid homage to those martyred in the 2001 Parliament attack. Their sacrifice will forever inspire our nation. We remain eternally grateful for their courage and dedication."