Archive · 11 Aug 2026
Former Army chief Gen Vaidya shot dead in Pune, 1986
Forty years ago, a very important army leader in India named General Vaidya was shot and killed in the city of Pune.
He had once been the chief of the whole Indian Army.
Four unknown people carried out the shooting, and his wife was hurt too.
She had to have an operation at a hospital, and the doctors said she was getting better.
Before the attack, somebody had sent three letters threatening to hurt the General.
The letters said the attack would be punishment for his part in an army operation called Operation Bluestar.
The government became worried and told all the states to stay alert so there would be no trouble.
Leaders held meetings about what happened, and the Prime Minister was told the news while flying to Prague.
The same news also reported that Sri Lanka's president wanted India's help to make peace, and that riots in a town called Nadiad killed at least four people.
On August 11, 1986, former Army chief Gen Arunkumar Shridhar Vaidya was shot dead by four unidentified persons in Pune.
His wife, Bhanu Vaidya, was seriously injured and underwent surgery at the Southern Command Hospital, with her condition reported to be improving.
The assault followed three anonymous letters threatening Gen Vaidya with physical elimination as punishment for his role as Army chief during Operation Bluestar.
The Home Ministry sounded a 'red alert', asking states and the Delhi administration to take precautionary measures against any law and order reaction to the assassination.
The same bulletin reported Sri Lankan President J R Jayewardene's call for a peace accord with India and a fresh wave of violence in Nadiad that killed at least four people.
- Who
- Former Army chief Gen Arunkumar Shridhar Vaidya was killed; his wife Bhanu Vaidya was seriously injured. Four unidentified persons carried out the attack.
- What
- Gen Vaidya was shot dead in Pune, prompting the Home Ministry to sound a 'red alert' and leaders to review the situation.
- When
- August 11, 1986 (reported 40 years later in a retrospective).
- Where
- Pune, India; the injured wife was treated at the Southern Command Hospital.
- Why
- The attack followed three anonymous letters threatening Gen Vaidya with physical elimination as 'punishment' for his role as Army chief during Operation Bluestar.
- Former Army chief killed
- Gen Arunkumar Shridhar Vaidya
- Date
- August 11, 1986
- Location
- Pune
- Attackers
- Four unidentified persons
- Injured
- Bhanu Vaidya, seriously injured; operated on at Southern Command Hospital, condition improving
- Threats received
- Three anonymous letters; 'punishment' for role in Operation Bluestar
- Government response
- Home Ministry 'red alert'; P V Narasimha Rao chaired Political Affairs Committee meeting
- Also reported
- Jayewardene's peace appeal to India; Nadiad riots killing at least four