New Delhi:
Today marks the seventeenth anniversary of one of the most sensational terrorist attacks in India. Five terrorists enter the Parliament complex when more than 100 people, including politicians, were present inside and open indiscriminate fire, killing nine people instantly and injuring over 15. What followed was a fierce gun-battle lasting for nearly 30 minutes where all the five terrorists were shot. The terrorist entered the Parliament complex around 40 minutes after the Parliament was adjourned.
The attack triggered extensive investigations which revealed possible involvement of four accused namely Mohammad Afzal Guru, Shaukat Hussain Guru (cousin of Afzal Guru) and Gilani (Syed Abdul Rahman Gilani) and Shaukat’s wife Afsan Guru (Navjot Sandhu before marriage).
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Two days after the attack, Afzal Guru accused of sheltering the terrorists, was arrested from Jammu and Kashmir. SAR Geelani, Shaukat Hussain Guru and Afsan Guru were also picked up by the Delhi Police. However, Afsan was later released.
Timeline of the events:
December 13, 2001: Five heavily armed gunmen stormed the Parliament complex and opened indiscriminate fire, killing nine people. Five Delhi Police personnel, a woman Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) trooper, two Parliament watch and ward staff and a gardener, journalist were among the victims.
December 15: Professor SAR Geelani, Afzal Guru and Shaukat Hassan arrested by the Delhi police.
December 25: Pakistan arrests Maulana Masood Azhar under International pressure.
December 18, 2002: Death sentence given to SAR Geelani, Shaukat Hussain Guru and Afzal Guru.
October 29, 2003: SAR Geelani acquitted in the case.
October 3, 2006: Afzal Guru's wife Tabasum Guru files a mercy petition with former president APJ Abdul Kalam.
September 26, 2006: Delhi court orders Afzal Guru to be hanged.
December 30, 2010: Shaukat Hussain Guru released from Delhi's Tihar Jail.
December 10, 2012: Then Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde said he would examine Afzal Guru's file after Parliament's Winter session concluded on December 22.
February 3, 2013: President Pranab Mukherjee rejects Afzal Guru's mercy petition.
February 9, 2013: Afzal Guru hanged in Delhi's Tihar Jail at 8 am.
