2005 Ayodhya terror attack case: Four convicts sentenced to life, one acquitted

On 5 July 2005, the heavily guarded Ram Janmabhoomi - Babri Masjid complex came under attack by heavily armed terrorists of Lashkar-e-Taiba. The attack was foiled by security officials and the terrorists were neutralized.

Policemen look at the remnants of a jeep in Ayodhya on July 5, 2005. (FILE PIC/AFP)

Prayagraj (Uttar Pradesh):  A special court here sentenced four convicts to life imprisonment and acquitted one person (Md. Aziz) in the 2005 Ayodhya terror case. The court  also imposed a fine of Rs 2.4 lakh on each of the convicts. Special judge Dinesh Chandra pronounced the verdict. The attack took place on July 5, 2005 had left two locals dead and injured seven paramilitary personnel. Due to security reasons, the verdict was announced in Naini Central Jail, where all the accused are imprisoned. Those who have been awarded a life term are Irrfan, Mohammad Shakeel, Mohammad Naseem Asif Iqbal and Farookh. What happened on July 5, 2005?  On 5 July 2005, the heavily guarded Ram Janmabhoomi - Babri Masjid complex came under attack by heavily armed terrorists of Lashkar-e-Taiba. The attack was successfully foiled by security officials and the terrorists were neutralized. The attackers disguised themselves pilgrims and came in an explosives-laden Mahindra Marshall jeep bearing a Uttar Pradesh number plate. As they were not successful in maneuvering the vehicle inside the makeshift temple complex, they blew up the vehicle up after disembarking and fired indiscriminately from their AK-47s. The gun fire between the terrorists and the security lasted for about 1.5 hours merely 100 meters away from the temple site.