The Terrorists Strike Again

What happens when a few suicide bombers enter the Temple of Indian Democracy only with one objective- kill, and if worst comes to worst, be killed?

On High Alert. Image Source: The Times of India

Acts of terror are far more haunting than horror movies. Terrorism reminds us that monsters are real, and they exist in the same plane as us.

One of the most debated conflicts of the contemporary world has to be the animosity between India and Pakistan. The violent episodes between these two nations make it difficult for anyone to believe that before the partition of 1947, India and Pakistan were one, not two separate- states.

While India chose to follow the path of peace and inclusivity, Pakistan trod a different slope. India has never tolerated terrorism or promote terrorist activities. However, many terrorist organisations seem to have found a haven on Pakistan's soil.

Over the years, India has had to face many terrorist attacks. One attack happened 20 years ago.

On 13th December 2001, 5 suicide bombers attacked the Parliament. The terrorists were only able to get past the security because their vehicles bore the Home Ministry and Parliament labels. Only 40 minutes before the incident, the Parliament had been adjourned for the day. Some ministers and officials were still in the building.

The terrorists' vehicles were a hazard, in motion or not. They were armed with AK-47 rifles, grenades, pistols, and grenade launchers. The suicide bombers had come with the intention of destruction, and death was just a part of it.

As soon as the terrorists breached the security barrier, they rammed their vehicle into the vice president's car and began shooting. A crossfire began. The guards in the Parliament too fired back, and the militants weren't showing any signs of stopping.

Don't some details of this incident seem familiar to you? That's because the Legislative Assembly of Jammu and Kashmir was attacked in a similar manner in November 2001.

The terrorists were first spotted by Constable Kamlesh Kumari of the CRPF. She was shot as she drew attention to the gunmen. However, during that time, one of the militant's suicide vests exploded when he was shot, thus killing the four other gunmen with him. Overall, 9 people died and 18 were wounded.

Due to the police's swift actions and bravery, all government officials made it out safely.

The attack was executed by Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammad, the Pakistan-based terrorist organisations that derive their support and patronage from Pak ISI.

The incident alarmed everyone, and apprehending the masterminds of this attack became the priority. Within four days of the incident, the police arrested Mohammed Afzal Guru, Shaukat Hussain, Afsan Guru, and SAR Geelani.

While Afsan Guru and Geelani were acquitted after a decade, Afzal Guru was hanged to death in 2013.