India salutes the valour of those who were martyred during the dastardly attack on our Parliament in 2001

 

 

New Delhi, December 13: The nation today pays homage to the martyrs who sacrificed their lives while defending the parliament house in the terror attack on this day in 2001. A function to pay floral tributes to martyrs who sacrificed their lives during terrorist attack on parliament on 13th of December 2001 is set to be held in the parliament house today. Politicians across party lines will pay the floral tributes to the victims of the attack.

 

 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi saluted the valour of those who were martyred during the dastardly attack on our Parliament on this day in 2001. “Their courage and heroism inspires every Indian.”, he tweeted.

 

 

Vice President M Venkhaiah Naidu and many other dignitaries will attend the function. Meanwhile President Ram Nath Kovind, currently in Myanmar tweeted in a message saying that, “India gratefully remembers those martyred while defending Parliament from terrorists on this day in 2001. Forces of hate and terror targeted what we cherish most — India's democracy and democratic values. They did not succeed. And we will never let them succeed #PresidentKovind”

Naidu also tweeted saying, “December 13 is a day to pay homage to those who were martyred, and to remind ourselves of the need for a united resolve against a common enemy.” “No words of commendation or praise are enough to describe the valiant manner in which our security personnel laid down their lives to protect the lives of parliamentarians and the institution of Parliament.”, he said

 

 

“We must stand united as a nation and, every country as a part of the global community has to stand up, speak up and, if necessary, step up in this battle. We are confronting a common enemy. Only a coordinated strategy will work against such a foe.”, conveyed Naidu in one of his articles before.”

 

 

On 13 December 2001, five terrorists infiltrated the Parliament House in a car with Home Ministry and Parliament labels. While both the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha had been adjourned 40 minutes prior to the incident, saving many of the important lives. The gunmen used a fake identity sticker on the car they drove and thus breached the security deployed around the parliamentary complex. Delhi Police officials claimed that gunmen received instructions from Pakistan and the operation was carried out under the guidance of Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) agency.

 

However, the attack led to the deaths of five terrorists, six Delhi Policepersonnel, two Parliament Security Service personnel and a gardener in total 14 and to increased tensions between India and Pakistan, resulting in the 2001–02 India - Pakistan standoff.