Smoke Bombs, Security Breach On 22nd Anniversary Of Parliament Terror Attack

There was a huge security breach inside the Lok Sabha Wednesday. The breach was on the 22nd anniversary of the Parliament terror attack, in which nine people, including eight security staff, were killed and India was left shocked by a strike on the symbol of democracy.

The 2001 Parliament terror attack was carried out by two banned Pakistan-based terror groups – Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed – and five terrorists were killed.

Hours before today’s incident, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Droupadi Murmu, and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla led a cross-party tribute to those killed in the 2001 assault.

READ | Huge Parliament Security Breach: 4 People, 2 Incidents, Smoke In Lok Sabha

The security breach also comes after Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun threated an attack on this day. Delhi Police were put on alert after he vowed to “shake the very foundation of Parliament”.

What Happened Today?

At 1.02 pm chaos erupted in the Lok Sabha after one man jumped from the visitors’ gallery and ran into the chamber. A second remained in the gallery. Both deployed pressurized canisters spewing yellow smoke. In a shocking video shared online, the man who ran into the chamber jumped desks to try and evade capture, but was eventually cornered by MPs.

Furious opposition lawmakers, understandably concerned for their security, have slammed the government for the security breach, pointing out the smoke could have been toxic.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla has said a thorough investigation will take place.

Bahujan Samaj Party MP Danish Ali told NDTV a visitor’s pass was recovered after the scuffle and that it had been issued by BJP MP Pratap Simha’s office. However, irrespective of which MP’s office issues a pass, any visitor must clear five levels of security before being allowed inside Parliament.

Congress MP Karti Chidambaram told NDTV he initially thought somebody had fallen down from the visitors’ gallery. “It was only after the second person jumped that I realized it was a security breach… the gas could have been poisonous,” he said, calling for a thorough probe.

Smoke Attack Outside Parliament Too

Two other individuals – a man and a woman – were detained outside Parliament, also with coloured smoke canisters that exploded and spewed red and yellow smoke..

Delhi Police sources have told NDTV the two incidents are likely related. According to news agency PTI, the man and woman have been identified as Amol Shinde, 25, and Neelam, 42.