Our Correspondent / New Delhi
People and leaders today paid homage to the martyrs who sacrificed their lives while defending Parliament House in the terror attack on this day in 2001. Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the Parliamentarians in paying tributes to the martyrs in the Parliament Houses premises.
Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan and Union Ministers, including Sushma Swaraj, Arun Jaitley and Rajnath Singh, were among those who paid homage to the martyrs. Former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, BJP President Amit Shah, UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Congress President Rahul Gandhi also paid floral tributes to the martyrs.
In his message, President Ram Nath Kovind said India gratefully remembers those martyred while defending Parliament from terrorists. He said forces of hate and terror targeted India’s democracy and democratic values but did not succeed.
Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu said 13th of December is a day to pay homage to those who were martyred and to remind oneself of the need for a united resolve against a common enemy. In an article, Mr Naidu said India need to steps up diplomatic efforts to combat the ever-growing global menace of terrorism.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi saluted the valour of those who were martyred during the dastardly attack on Parliament on this day. He said their courage and heroism inspires every Indian.
On this day in 2001, five terrorists armed with AK 47 rifles and grenades stormed the Parliament. More than 100 people, including major politicians, were inside the parliament building at the time. After a long gun battle, all the five terrorists were gunned down.
During the encounter, two people from Parliament security service, five from the Delhi Police and a women constable of the Central Reserve Police Force laid down their lives. One gardener of the Central Public Works Department was also killed in the attack.
उप-राष्ट्रपति और राज्य सभा के सभापति श्री @MVenkaiahNaidu; प्रधान मंत्री श्री @narendramodi और अन्य गणमान्य लोगों के साथ आज 13 दिसम्बर 2001 को आतंकवादी हमले से संसद की रक्षा करते हुए अपने प्राणों की आहुति देने वाले शहीदों को श्रद्धांजलि दी । pic.twitter.com/6AgHKcsB4A
— Sumitra Mahajan 'tai' (@S_MahajanLS) December 13, 2018