20 years of 2001 Parliament attack: PM Modi, President Kovind pay tributes

I pay my tributes to all those security personnel who were martyred in the line of duty during the Parliament attack in 2001. Their service to the nation and supreme sacrifice continues to inspire every citizen.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 13, 2021

“I pay homage to brave security personnel who laid down their lives on this day in 2001, defending the Parliament of the world’s largest democracy against a dastardly terrorist attack. The nation shall forever remain grateful to them for their supreme sacrifice,” President Kovind wrote on Twitter.

I pay homage to the brave security personnel who laid down their lives on this day in 2001, defending the Parliament of the world’s largest democracy against a dastardly terrorist attack. The nation shall forever remain grateful to them for their supreme sacrifice.

— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) December 13, 2021

Home Minister Amit Shah also paid homepage to those killed in the attack. “I salute the courage and valour of all the soldiers, who made their supreme sacrifice to protect the temple of Indian democracy – Parliament House – in the cowardly terrorist attack. . Your unparalleled valour and sacrifice will always inspire us to serve the nation.”

भारतीय लोकतंत्र के मंदिर संसद भवन पर हुए कायरतापूर्ण आतंकी हमले में राष्ट्र के गौरव की रक्षा हेतु अपना सर्वोच्च बलिदान देने वाले सभी बहादुर सुरक्षाबलों के साहस व शौर्य को कोटिशः नमन करता हूँ।

आपका अद्वितीय पराक्रम व अमर बलिदान सदैव हमें राष्ट्रसेवा हेतु प्रेरित करता रहेगा। pic.twitter.com/HyzCyPkxnF

— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) December 13, 2021

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh tweeted: “My tributes to those brave security personnel who sacrificed their lives during attack on the Parliament House in 2001. The nation will remain grateful for their courage and supreme sacrifice in the line of duty.”

Union Ministers Prahlad Joshi, Kiren Rijiju, Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi also paid homage.

On December 13, 2001, Parliament was attacked by terrorists. Two persons from the Parliament Security Service of the Rajya Sabha, five Delhi Police Personnel and a woman constable of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) laid down their lives while preventing the entry of terrorists inside the Parliament House Building. A gardener of CPWD also lost his life in the attack.

All five terrorists were killed by security forces. The incident led to high level of tension between India and Pakistan and a massive upgrade in the security of the Parliament.