STATE TIMES NEWS
New Delhi: India will never forget the cowardly attack on its Parliament, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday as the nation paid tributes to those who lost their lives in the terror strike on this day in 2001.
Nine persons, including eight security personnel, died in the attack by terrorists belonging to Pakistan-based outfits. All five terrorists were killed by security forces.
“While commemorating the great sacrifice of those defenders of the temple of our democracy, we strengthen our resolve to defeat the forces of terror,” President Ram Nath Kovind tweeted
At a brief ceremony held outside the Parliament building, floral tributes were paid at the portraits of the personnel by Vice President and Rajya Sabha Chairperson M Venkaiah Naidu, Prime Minister Modi, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Union ministers and Opposition leaders.
Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairperson Harivansh, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Home Minister Amit Shah, Leader of Opposition in the Upper House Ghulam Nabi Azad, Ram Gopal Yadav of the Samajwadi Party and Rajiv Shukla of the Congress were among those who paid homage.
The leaders observed a moment of silence as a mark of respect.
“We will never forget the cowardly attack on our Parliament on this day in 2001. We recall the valour and sacrifice of those who lost their lives protecting our Parliament. India will always be thankful to them,” Prime Minister Modi tweeted.
The terror attack had pushed India-Pakistan ties to a new low and India had mobilised its armed forces under Operation Parakram.
The incident also led to a massive upgrade in the security of the Parliament complex.