40 years ago August 11, 1986: Former Army chief shot dead

Forty years prior, on August 11, 1986, Gen Arunkumar Shridhar Vaidya, a former Army chief, was ruthlessly murdered by four unknown assailants in Pune. His spouse, Bhanu Vaidya, suffered severe injuries and was promptly transported to the Southern Command Hospital, where she underwent surgery. Her prognosis was reported as steadily improving.

The assassination occurred following the receipt of three anonymous letters, which threatened the ex-Army chief with lethal violence as retribution for his position as Army chief during Operation Bluestar. In response, the Home Ministry issued a "red alert," urging all states and the Delhi administration to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions to prevent any potential law and order disturbances resulting from Vaidya's murder.

Prime Minister P V Narasimha Rao convened a meeting of the Political Affairs Committee and senior officials to assess the aftermath of the assassination. Additionally, a message expressing concern was conveyed to Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi via Air India during his transatlantic flight to Prague. Meanwhile, Sri Lankan President J R Jayewardene made a request to India to sign an agreement addressing the ethnic crisis in his country, particularly concerning the implementation of a peace accord, holding elections to proposed provincial councils, and combating "terrorism."

The President expressed hope for a resolution to the ethnic crisis with the "full backing of the Indian government and Tamil Nadu." Meanwhile, in Nadiad town, Kaira district, at least four individuals were killed and another seriously injured in a fresh wave of violent incidents, which included firing, stabbing, and brickbatting.