In Pictures: 23 Years Since 2001 Parliament Attack, A Look Back At The Day

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Rajya Sabha Leader of Opposition (LoP) Mallikarjun Kharge, and other top political leaders gathered at the Parliament complex to pay floral tributes to the martyrs who lost their lives defending India's democracy.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Home Minister Amit Shah, Union Ministers JP Nadda, Kiren Rijiju, and other dignitaries also paid homage, emphasizing the collective grief and solidarity of the nation.

The attack occurred on December 13, 2001. Five heavily armed terrorists infiltrated the Indian Parliament complex in a car with fake Home Ministry and Parliament stickers.

The attackers carried AK-47 rifles, grenade launchers, pistols, and grenades, indicating a meticulously planned assault.

Both Houses of Parliament had been adjourned about 40 minutes before the attack. Over 100 individuals, including senior politicians and officials, were inside the building. Home Minister L.K. Advani and Minister of State for Defence Harin Pathak were reportedly among those present.

Nine individuals, including six Delhi Police personnel, two Parliament Security Service personnel, and a gardener, lost their lives. All five terrorists were neutralized by the security forces.

The Parliament, a symbol of India's democracy, was the target. The attack aimed to destabilize the country and disrupt its democratic functioning. Terrorist organizations Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), based in Pakistan, were held responsible for the attack. LeT denied involvement despite strong evidence linking them to the incident.

The attack escalated tensions between India and Pakistan, leading to a military standoff in 2001–2002. Security protocols at sensitive installations across the country were significantly strengthened following the attack.