Prime Minister Narendra Modi Thursday saluted the courage of those killed in the 2001 Parliament attack, saying their valour encourages people.
On the 17th anniversary of the attack, Modi took to Twitter to recall the courage of the security personnel.
"We pay homage to those who laid down their lives protecting the temple of our democracy on December 13, 2001. Their sacrifices will never be forgotten," the Prime Minister tweeted after the event.
On December 13, 2001, five gunmen stormed the Parliament complex and opened indiscriminate fire.
Five Delhi Police personnel, a woman Central Reserve Police official, two Parliament watch and ward staff, a gardener and a camera person were among those who killed in the attack.
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Congress President-elect Rahul Gandhi and party chief Sonia Gandhi were also present at the event in Parliament House.
A smiling Rahul Gandhi went ahead and met Union Ministers Ravi Shankar Prasad and Sushma Swaraj.
Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu, lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan and Home Minister Rajnath Singh were also present at the occasion.
President Ram Nath Kovind also remembered those "martyred while defending Parliament from terrorists on this day 16 years ago".
"Forces of hate and terror targeted what we cherish most. India's democracy and democratic values. They did not succeed. And we will never let them succeed," Kovind said in his tweet.
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A year later, four accused, including Afzal Guru, were arrested for the attack and found guilty after a trial. Guru was hanged on February 9, 2013.
(Agencies)
