In New Delhi on Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accompanied by a number of parliamentarians, gathered to honor the security personnel who were killed during the 2001 Parliament attack. The day marked the 24th anniversary of the assault that left six Delhi Police officers, two members of the Parliament Security Service, and a gardener dead, while all five attackers were neutralised by forces on site.
The attack, carried out on 13 December 2001 by five militants from Jaish‑e‑Mohammed (JeM), began when the conspirators entered the Parliament complex in a vehicle that carried forged Home Ministry and Parliament stickers. Though the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha had been adjourned roughly 40 minutes earlier, many MPs and senior officials—including then‑Home Minister L.K. Advani and Defence Minister‑State Harin Pathak—were still inside when the breach occurred.
The gunmen, armed with AK‑47s, grenade launchers, pistols and hand grenades, managed to penetrate the security perimeter. Constable Kamlesh Kumari of the Central Reserve Police Force was the first to spot the intruders and raise the alarm, but she was shot and died at the scene. In the ensuing firefight, one of the assailants detonated a suicide vest after being killed, and the remaining four terrorists were also taken down by security forces.
Despite the violence, all seated MPs and ministers survived unharmed. The attack claimed nine lives in total and left at least 17 others injured.
During the ceremony, Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan joined the tribute. Several senior leaders, including Union Ministers Kiren Rijiju, Piyush Goyal, Jitendra Singh and Arjun Ram Meghwal, Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi, Congress Parliamentary Party chair Sonia Gandhi, MP Priyanka Gandhi, and other parliamentarians, were in attendance.
Earlier, on X, Home Minister Amit Shah reflected on the events, saying: “Today is the day to once again remember the indomitable valour and courage of our security forces against terrorism, when in the year 2001, they thwarted with their spirit the cowardly terrorist attack on the temple of the world’s largest democracy, our Parliament House.” He added, “I pay homage to the brave soldiers of the security forces who attained martyrdom while giving a befitting reply to the terrorists. This nation will forever remain indebted to the sacrifice and martyrdom of these heroic warriors.”
Priyanka Gandhi also expressed her condolences, stating: “We pay heartfelt tribute to our brave soldiers who were martyred in the cowardly terrorist attack on Indian Parliament on this day. The nation will forever be indebted to these valiant martyrs and their families for sacrificing their lives in defence of the country’s honour.”
Stay informed on all the latest news, real-time breaking news updates, and follow all the important headlines in world News on Latest NewsX. Follow us on social media Facebook, Twitter(X), Gettr and subscribe our Youtube Channel.
