2001 Parliament attack plotter Afzal Guru hanged in Tihar Jail

New Delhi: Pakistan trained Kashmir terrorist Afzal Guru who plotted Indian Parliament attack in 2001, was hanged in Tihar Jail today. Home Minister SushilKumar Shinde said the hanging took place at 8.00 Am. The move comes after the Indian President rejected mercy petition on Feb 3. Afzal Guru was given the death sentence by the Supreme Court in 2004 to be carried out on October 20, 2006. However, it was stayed after Afzal Guru’s wife filed the mercy petition. Afzal Guru is from Sopore in Kashmir.

On 13 December 2001, five gunmen infiltrated the Parliament House in a car with Home Ministry and Parliament labels, resulting in 9 deaths. One gunman who wore suicide vest was shot by Indian security forces and he exploded his vest. Other four were shot dead too. Afzal Guru was caught few days later.

Reactions have been positive from across the sections in India. Rajiv Pratap Rudy, BJP said “the hanging of Afzal Guru is the right thing. We welcome the decision. The people of the country were waiting for it.” Kiran Bedi, ex Police Officer and anti-corruption activist tweeted “Afzal Guru hanged. Law finally turned FULL circle!” Gujarat Chief Narendra Modi said that the hanging came late and is the correct thing to do.

Curfew has been imposed in Kashmir, where the fringe terrorist outfits had issued a warning against hanging of Afzal Guru. Separatists Hurriat have condemned the hanging. Mustafa Kamal if National Conference, which is the ruling party said that they had appealed for Afzal Guru’s sentence to be reduced to life sentence.

Home Secretary RK saingh said the burial of Afzal Guru will be according to rituals within the jail.