The Red Fort in India is highly important as it is the venue for the Prime Minister on Independence Day, August 15. Historically significant, it represents the conclusion of British dominance. On December 22, 2000, a terrorist act carried out by Lashkar-e-Taiba resulted in the deaths of two soldiers and one civilian, with the intention of sabotaging India-Pakistan peace negotiations.
Red Fort Terror Attack: What Happened On December 22, 2000
On 22 December 2000 at approximately 9:00 pm, two militants from Lashkar-e-Taiba opened fire, fatally wounding two soldiers from the 7th Rajputana Rifles and a security guard at the historically important Red Fort. Even with the Quick Reaction Team firing back, the assailants managed to flee over the boundary wall.
Red Fort Terror Attack: Casualties
Three individuals—Abdullah Thakur, a civilian guard, Rifleman Uma Shankar, and Naik Ashok Kumar—lost their lives due to the assault. Naik Ashok Kumar passed away from his injuries in a Delhi hospital hours following the incident.
Red Fort Terror Attack: Attackers
The assault on Red Fort is thought to have been planned by a militant from Lashkar-e-Taiba. In October 2005, Indian courts found six additional individuals guilty, imposing sentences of different durations. In September 2007, the six additional attackers were freed because of insufficient evidence. The militant organization, Lashkar-e-Taiba, based in Pakistan, claimed responsibility for the attacks. The assaults further strained the already strained relations between India and Pakistan.
LeT terror suspect Bilal Ahmed Kawa who was arrested in a joint operation by Special Cell of Delhi Police and Gujarat ATS from Delhi Airport yesterday for alleged involvement in terror attack on Red Fort in 2000. pic.twitter.com/ap3b0CsOZR
— ANI (@ANI) January 11, 2018
Red Fort Terror Attack: Aftermath
Bilal Ahmed Kawa, a terrorist from Lashkar-e-Taiba who orchestrated and carried out the terror attack, was apprehended during a collaborative operation by the Special Cell of Delhi Police and the Gujarat ATS at Delhi Airport on 10 January 2018. He was arrested after 17 years. The 37-year-old has been placed in a Police Special Cell in Delhi for additional investigation. He was apprehended following a tip-off received by Gujarat ATS concerning his travel from Srinagar to Delhi.