Red Fort Attack: Meet Mohammed Arif, the Terrorist Whose Mercy Plea Was Rejected by President Murmu

Red Fort Attack: Meet Mohammed Arif, the Terrorist Whose Mercy Plea Was Rejected by President Murmu

Keywords: Red Fort attack, Mohammed Arif, terrorism, mercy plea, rejection

The Red Fort attack, carried out on December 22, 2000, remains etched in the history of Indian terrorism. One of the key figures involved in this deadly attack was Mohammed Arif, whose mercy plea was recently rejected by President Droupadi Murmu.

Who is Mohammed Arif?

Mohammed Arif was a member of the militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). He was born in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and received training in clandestine warfare techniques. In December 2000, Arif infiltrated into India along with a group of other terrorists with the intention of carrying out an attack.

The Red Fort Attack

On December 22, 2000, Arif and his accomplices attacked the Red Fort, a historic Mughal monument that serves as the residence of the President of India. The terrorists opened fire on tourists and security personnel, killing two and injuring several others.

Arif and his group then holed up inside the fort, engaging in a prolonged exchange of gunfire with security forces. After an intense siege that lasted for several hours, the terrorists were finally neutralized. Arif was among those killed in the operation.

Mercy Plea and Rejection

In 2005, Arif was sentenced to death by a Delhi court for his role in the Red Fort attack. He filed a mercy plea with the President, seeking commutation of his death sentence to life imprisonment.

However, President Murmu rejected Arif’s mercy plea on January 18, 2023. The President’s decision was based on the gravity of the crime committed by Arif and the fact that he had not shown any remorse or expressed any regret for his actions.

Conclusion

The rejection of Mohammed Arif’s mercy plea underscores the government’s resolve to combat terrorism and bring perpetrators of heinous crimes to justice. The Red Fort attack remains a reminder of the sacrifices made by security personnel in the fight against terrorism and the need for continued vigilance to prevent such incidents from recurring.