New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday paid homage to the martyrs of the 2001 Parliament House terrorist attack.

Paying tributes to those that had laid their lives on the fateful day 13 years back, Modi tweeted: "We salute martyrs who lost their lives protecting the Temple of our Democracy on this day in 2001. Their sacrifices are etched in our memory."

We salute martyrs who lost their lives protecting the Temple of our Democracy on this day in 2001. Their sacrifices are etched in our memory — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 13, 2014

On December 13, 2001, five heavily-armed gunmen stormed the Parliament complex and opened indiscriminate fire, killing nine persons.

The martyrs included five Delhi Police personnel, a woman Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) official, two Parliament watch and ward staff and a gardener.

A journalist, who was injured, died later. All five terrorists were shot dead.

A year later, four accused, including Afzal Guru, were arrested for the attack and found guilty after a trial.

Guru was hanged to death for his involvement in the Parliament attack.