Afzal Guru hanged in India for 2001 parliament attack
Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) activists display nooses as they shout slogans against the Congress led UPA government during a protest in New Delhi on May 19, 2010. BJP protesters demanded the execution of Afzal Guru,the prime accused in the Parliament attack case of December 13, 2001.
Afzal Guru, convicted in the 2001 India parliament attack that left 14 dead, was hanged Saturday after his final plea for mercy was rejected.
According to the Associated Press, Home Secretary R.K. Singh said Guru was executed early Saturday at Tihar prison in Delhi.
"It was the law taking its course," Singh said.
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Guru, who was on death row since he was convicted in 2002, was given a Muslim burial in the prison compound. His family wants his body handed over, but that is said to be unlikely to happen because of the sensitive nature of his execution.
Protests broke out in Kashmir when news of Guru's execution was heard by the public, reported Reuters. Guru had been accused of helping get arms to the men who attacked the parliament and giving them a place to stay. He always maintained his innocence.
According to the Hindustan Times, five armed rebels attacked the Delhi parliament on Dec. 13, 2001. Eight police officers and a gardener were killed before the attackers were shot dead. A journalist wounded in the attack died months later.