New Delhi: On December 13, 2001, a gang of terrorists attacked the Parliament House. The perpetrators were Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), two terrorist organisations that operate out of Pakistani soil and are sponsored by the hostile western neighbour.

The terrorists did meet with resistance although initially the guards were caught unawares. The confrontation led to the deaths of five terrorists. Unfortunately, six Delhi Police personnel sacrificed their lives in the line of duty while two Parliament Security Service personnel and a gardener lost their lives too.

Matbar Singh Negi

On December 13, 2001 during the winter session of the Parliament, Matbar Singh Negi was outside the gate number 11 of the Parliament when he saw a white car approaching towards him at a high speed.

In no time, the car, which was carrying five terrorists, banged into the ambassador car of the then vice president Kishan Kant which was parked outside his office.

Even before people could react or understand what was happening, the terrorists jumped out of the car and started firing indiscriminately at them.

Negi, who was working in the Parliament House in watch and ward department, rushed towards the terrorists but was hit by bullets. The attack happened at 11:50 AM.

Unmindful of his injuries, Negi realised that the terrorists would definitely try to enter the Parliament House. He rushed towards the gate to shut it in order to prevent mass killing. However, he later succumbed to his injuries.

For his act of gallantry, Negi was awarded the highest peacetime gallantry medal Ashok Chakra (Posthumous).

Negi’s son Gautam Negi today works in Parliament as an important security functionary to ensure that the country does not have to face such an attack ever again.

Kamlesh Yadav

Constable Kamlesh Kumari Yadav, was with the Central Reserve Police Force when she was posted in Delhi for carrying out parliament security duties.

She was deployed at the iron gate of the Parliament House on that fateful day. She saw the terrorists’ car driving towards the gate.

Yadav was the first security official to approach the car. Once she understood that something was wrong she ran back to seal the gate. The terrorists with their cover effectively blown and unable to travel further due to Yadav’s foresight, opened fire. Eleven bullets pierced her stomach.

Yadav's alertness prevented a suicide bomber among the terrorists from executing his plan. The fact that she closed gate number 1 and raised alarm, other security personnel had the time to take the position and neutralize the bomber.

She was awarded the Ashok Chakra (Posthumous) too.

Ghanshyam

Head constable, security branch, Delhi Police

Ram Pal

Asst sub-inspector, security branch, Delhi Police

Nanak Chand

Assistant sub-inspector, scurity branch, Delhi Branch

Om Prakash

Constable, security branch, Delhi Police

JP Yadav

Parliament House watch and ward

Desh Raj

CPWD staff, Parliament House

Vijender Singh

Head constable, security branch, Delhi Police