Archive · 10 Sep 2026
India Tackles Corruption, Security Threats and Power Needs in 1986
On September 10, 1986, Indian leaders discussed ways to stop corruption and protect public money.
Rajiv Gandhi said officials should find out how crimes happen, not just arrest people afterward.
He mentioned eight kilograms of gold that disappeared while being sent by train.
In Pakistan, an injured hijacker tried to escape from a hospital but was caught quickly.
In Punjab, police and security forces searched places where terrorists were suspected of hiding.
The operation involved hundreds of police officers and paramilitary personnel.
India also approved a large plan to provide more electricity to Delhi in the 1990s.
The plan included a power station, new transmission lines and improvements to the city’s distribution system.
Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi urged Public Accounts Committees to address the root causes of financial irregularities and prevent abuses from recurring.
Gandhi highlighted the disappearance of eight kilograms of gold transported by rail between Bombay and Agra.
A Pakistani police source said injured Karachi hijacker Hassan tried unsuccessfully to escape from a hospital.
Security forces and Punjab Police conducted a large operation across hideouts in Firozpur, Kapurthala and Amritsar.
India approved an Rs 1,800-crore power project featuring a Dadri thermal station, a 400-KV transmission network and upgraded distribution in Delhi.
- Who
- Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, Public Accounts Committee chairmen, Pakistani police, Punjab Police, security forces and Indian energy authorities were involved in the reported developments.
- What
- Officials discussed combating corruption, a hijacker attempted to escape, security forces conducted searches in Punjab, and India approved a major Delhi power project.
- When
- September 10, 1986.
- Where
- The events involved India, Pakistan, Punjab, Delhi, and the rail route between Bombay and Agra.
- Why
- The measures were intended to prevent misuse of public funds, recapture a hijacker, search suspected terrorist hideouts and meet Delhi’s future electricity needs.
- Corruption conference
- The seventh conference of Public Accounts Committee chairmen was inaugurated by Rajiv Gandhi.
- Gold disappearance
- Eight kilograms of gold reportedly disappeared while being transported by rail between Bombay and Agra.
- Punjab operation
- The search began around 3 a.m. and continued until late in the evening.
- Forces involved
- Six paramilitary companies and about 300 police personnel participated in the Punjab operation.
- Power project cost
- The planned national capital power project was estimated to cost Rs 1,800 crore.
- Power infrastructure
- The project included a super thermal power station at Dadri, a 400-KV transmission network and modernization of Delhi’s distribution system.
- Financing
- The project was to be partly financed by the World Bank.