Afzal Guru's hanging should have come earlier but it was a welcome move, said the families of those who were killed in the 2001 Parliament terror attack.

"We woke up to this news and we are very happy with the decision of the government. Though this should have been done earlier, it is a welcome move. Only the government can tell why there was a delay," said Gautam Negi, the son of Matbar Singh Negi of Parliament's watch and ward staff who was killed in the attack.

"We are relieved now," said Avdesh, whose wife Kamlesh Yadav was also killed in the Dec 13, 2001 attack on the Indian Parliament.

Afzal Guru, who was sent to the gallows for his central role in plotting the attack, was hanged at 8am Saturday morning.

Nine people were killed in the Dec 13, 2001 attack when five heavily-armed Pakistani terrorists drove into the Parliament complex and opened fire.