On the commemorative day of Wednesday, exactly 22 years after the tragic event, recollections of the Parliament attack in 2001 were stirred following a significant security breach within the Lok Sabha. This breach brought to mind the assault on the temple of democracy, where a suicide squad comprising five terrorists from Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba sought to inflict harm.
In contrast to Wednesday's incident, which involved the discharge of smoke canisters, the 2001 attack was more severe, involving exchanges of gunfire, the detonation of a suicide bomber, and resultant fatalities. The suicide squad, armed with Kalashnikov rifles and grenades in backpacks, created a shocking spectacle. The human bomb among them exploded in front of the Parliament House, leaving all five terrorists dead. Tragically, six courageous security personnel and a gardener lost their lives in the crossfire, with an additional 18 individuals, including 12 security personnel and a TV cameraman, sustaining injuries.
According to an India Today magazine report, the events of November 13, 2001, unfolded within the three rings of security encircling the Parliament building. Although the first ring regulating entry and access was breached, the prompt response of the subsequent security rings prevented the terrorists from entering the building and causing further devastation.
The report details a critical moment during the attack when the terrorists were mere meters away from the three steps leading into the office of the then Rajya Sabha Chairman, Vice-President Krishan Kant. Quick action, involving the slamming of doors shut, thwarted their entry into the building.
The terrorists, driving a white Ambassador with a Parliament access sticker, encountered a stroke of luck when their path was blocked by cars belonging to the Vice-President's convoy near gate 11. This unexpected hindrance proved advantageous for the country.
As the Vice-President's security guards were alerted, the driver of the white Ambassador collided with one of the vehicles, coming to a halt near the Rajya Sabha lawns. Despite the loss of lives, including security officer JP Yadav and constable Kamlesh Kumari, their bravery and timely actions played a crucial role in minimizing the impact of the terrorist attack.
In the face of adversity, the staff successfully closed all doors to the Parliament building, preventing the terrorists from achieving their intended havoc. The terrorists, armed with assault rifles and grenades, met their end at various points near gates 8, 9, and 5, with the plan to breach the Parliament building and create chaos thwarted by the resilience of the security measures in place.
Several factors, including the sealed doors, the obstacle posed by the wall between gates 10 and 11, and the fortuitous collision with the Vice-President's car, contributed to the terrorists' plan going awry. Notably, the collision loosened the wires connecting the explosives in the terrorists' car, preventing the detonation of the 30 kg of explosives discovered in the Ambassador.
In reflection, the combination of bravery and some elements of luck averted a much graver outcome 22 years ago when terrorists targeted the heart of India's democracy.
