Mohammad Afzal Guru, a member of terror outfit Jaish-e-Muhammad, was secretly hanged at the Tihar jail in New Delhi on Saturday after being convicted of plotting the terror attack on the Indian Parliament in 2001 that killed nine people and injured over 10.
He was sent to the gallows at around 8:00 am on Saturday after the President of India rejected his mercy petition on Feb 3.
Facts About Afzal Guru:
1) He was from Sopore, Baramulla district of Jammu and Kashmir.
2) He was preparing for competitive exams after completing MBBS first year when he joined the terror outfit.
3) He was assigned to help carry out attacks on various important institutions in India, including Parliament and Embassies, and to find safe place for the 'fidayeens' to stay in Delhi.
4) Five terrorists entered Parliament complex on Dec 13, 2001 and opened fire indiscriminately, killing nine people and injuring over 10. All five gunmen were shot dead.
5) Delhi Police arrested Afzal Guru, SAR Geelani, Afsan Guru and Shaukat Hussain Guru on Dec 15, 2001 in connection with the parliament attack.
6) Charges were framed against the four accused under several sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
7) Death sentence given to Afzal Guru, SAR Geelani and Shaukat Hussain Guru on Dec 18, 2002.
8) Supreme Court gave death sentence to Afzal Guru and 10 years of rigorous imprisonment to Shaukat Hussain Guru on Aug 4, 2005.
9) Delhi court ordered the hanging of Afzal Guru on Sep 26, 2006 but the convict's wife filed a mercy petition with then President APJ Abdul Kalam on Oct 3.
10) The Supreme Court rejected Afzal Guru's mercy plea on Jan 12, 2007.
11) President Pranab Mukherjee rejected Afzal Guru's mercy petition on Feb 3, 2013.
12) Afzal Guru was hanged in Tihar Jail on Jan 9, 2013, exactly 11 years and 27 days after the Parliament attack.
Rashtrapati Bhavan spokesperson Venu Rajamony had earlier Saturday hinted that Afzal Guru would be sent to the gallows by revealing that the President of India had rejected his mercy petition.
