Parliament Attack 2001: When Terror struck Indian Parliament which led to India-Pak deadlock

The deadly terror attack on Indian Parliament, 21 years back shaked the country. Today, India pays tribute to the martyrs who made the ultimate sacrifice while preventing the attack. In the tragic incident, nine people were killed and 18 were injured, including six Delhi police and two Parliament security officials.

Five terrorists from the Pakistan-based militant organizations on December 13, 2001, Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed penetrated the premises of Parliament in a White Ambassador with bogus Home Ministry stickers.

Militants wielding AK-47 rifles, grenade launchers, and handguns broke through successive security cordons. "They accidentally crashed into one of the vehicles in the Vice President's cavalcade," stated Ashok Chand, the then-Deputy Commissioner of Police (Special Cell).


The terrorists had AK-47 weapons, grenades, grenade launchers, and handguns in their car, which they slammed into Vice President Krishan Kant's parked automobile. They stepped out of the car and started firing, and the first victim was a CRPF constable called Kamlesh Kumari.

The attackers murdered nine individuals in all, but the MPs escaped the premises unscathed. One of the attackers wore a suicide vest that exploded after he was shot. This explosion killed him, and the other four terrorists were also killed.

The investigation was taken up by the Delhi Police's anti-terror squad, Special Cell, which was founded in 1986 to prevent, identify, and investigate incidents of terrorism.

The main suspects in the terror attacks were identified as Afzal Guru and his cousin Shaukat Hussain Guru. In 2013, Afzal Guru was condemned to death and hanged in Tihar Jail.

This also resulted in a massive standoff between Indian and Pakistani military forces in 2001 and 2002, during which both sides' soldiers massed along the Line of Control (LoC), sparking severe tensions in the Kashmir Valley area.

FAQ

When was NSG formed for terrorism?
NSG was formed on 16th October 1984.

What is the name of India’s Intelligence Unit?
India’s Intelligence unit is called RAW (Research and Analysis Wing).