Ahmedabad: Prayers were held at the Akshardham temple in Gandhinagar on September 24 morning and homage were paid to all 33 people who died in the terrorist attack last year, marking the first anniversary of one of the worst attacks on a religious place in the country.

A mahapuja was conducted in the main temple premises amidst a large gathering comprising kin of those killed by terrorist bullets and several of the 72 odd persons who were injured in the incident.

Apart from women and children, three security personnel including two state commandos and one National Security Guard were killed while one NSG Surjan Singh Bhandari is still comatose after being hit by a terrorist bullet.

Gandhinagar District Collector S J Haider and District Superintendent of Police (DSP) R B Brahmbhatt also offered prayers in memory of all those who perished.

Brahmbhatt was recently awarded the President's gallantry award for the manner in which he braved the two terrorists and fought inspite of being injured.

Lamps were lit in memory of the innocent men, women and children who had died during the terrorist siege.

The pramukhswami of the sect, though not present on the occasion, sent a message conveying that "people should gather strength from this incident and ensure that terrorism does not strike upon any religion in the world in this manner".

PTI