Gun Battle Erupts at India Parliament Compound

Commandos were preparing today to move in on the scene of a gun battle that erupted at India’s Parliament, police said.

“Commando operations are starting now. Get out of here,” a police official told reporters.

Earlier, gunfire and an explosion erupted at the sprawling complex as gunmen tried to enter a gate used by lawmakers, witnesses said.

A television cameraman for Star News said he saw six men in civilian clothes open fire at Gate No. 12, used by members of the upper house.

A Parliament official said shooting erupted about 11:45 a.m. inside the compound.

Most lawmakers, Defense Minister George Fernandes and Home Minister Lal Krishna Advani were still inside, said Pramod Mahajan, a senior Cabinet minister. A spokesman for Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee’s office said Vajpayee was also still inside the stately Parliament building when the firing began shortly after both houses were adjourned for the day.

Aaj Tak television said two of the intruders had been shot dead and that theirs were among five bodies lying on the lawns or sidewalks near the gate.

The Star News cameraman said three Parliament security guards were injured in the initial firing and that one of them was lying on the ground.

A television cameraman was also shot, and Star News said police were firing indiscriminately, including at journalists.

Police carried a bleeding man up to a journalist’s car and asked for help in getting him to a hospital. Six injured people were taken to the government’s nearby Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital.

Police and the paramilitary commandos sealed off the complex and halted traffic on major roads in central New Delhi, as the gunfire continued for more than half an hour.

Hundreds of rounds were fired as police too cover behind cars and corners of the building, and ambulances pulled up. The standoff was broadcast on most television stations.

Police said they had no information, and most details came from reporters at the scene.