Parliament observes 9th anniversary of Dec 13 attack

NEW DELHI - Cutting across party lines, MPs came together Monday to offer floral tributes and remember the nine people, including eight security personnel, killed in the terror attack on Parliament House nine years ago.

Vice President Hamid Ansari, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar, Congress president Sonia Gandhi and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj were among the first to lay floral wreaths near the photographs of those killed when five heavily armed terrorists stormed the parliament complex Dec 13, 2001.

Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, BJP leader L.K. Advani, ministers and other MPs paid floral tributes to them near the photographs mounted on the outer wall of Parliament House.

As Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel presented arms and buglers played the Last Post, MPs and dignitaries observed a minute’s silence to remember the nine people, including eight security personnel, killed in the attack.

After the ceremony, Advani condemned terrorism and pledged that the nation stands united to fight it.

Their (the terrorists) conspiracy to attack parliament where ministers and politicians were sitting ducks was foiled by these people. Had they succeeded, it would have been the biggest tragedy for the Indian democracy, Advani told reporters.

A blood donation camp was also organised to mark the ninth anniversary of the attack.