Arun Shridhar Vaidya
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General Arun Shridhar Vaidya, MVC(Bar), AVSM (Died: 10 August 1986) was the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) of the Indian Army from 1983 to 1986. He was also the seventh post-independence commander of the 9 (Deccan) Horse. He commanded his regiment in the Battle of Asal Uttar, 1965, and led 2nd (Independent) Armored Brigade in the Battle of Shakargarh, in 1971.
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[edit] Operation Blue Star
As COAS from 1983-1986, he planned Operation Blue Star, a controversial military operation at the Golden Temple premises in 1984 against militant Sikh separatists.[1] The Golden Temple, known in Punjabi as Harimandir Sahib, is Sikhism's most sacred site. It had been taken over by Khalistan militants seeking independence for Indian Punjab. The general described the operation as the "most difficult and painful" decision of his career.[2]
[edit] Assassination
Vaidya retired five months after Operation Blue Star and took residence in Pune, India. On August 10, 1986 he was shot to death by Sikh militants while driving his car home from the market.[3] According to police, the assailants pulled up next to his car on motor scooters and fired eight or nine shots into the car.[4] Vaidya reportedly died instantly of head and neck wounds. His wife, who was also in the car, was wounded by four bullets in her back and thighs.[5] According to Indian intelligence sources, Vaidya had been the number four assassination target on lists by Sikh militants and he was one of several people killed in retaliation for Operation Blue Star.[6][7]
Following the assassination, the Khalistan Commando Force issued a statement declaring that Vaidya was killed in retaliation for the Golden Temple operation.[6] In 1989, Sikh militants Sardar Sukhdev Singh "Sukha" and Sardar Harjinder Singh "Jinda" were sentenced to death for the killing. Despite admitting to the killing, they plead not-guilty, justifying their actions by saying that Vaidya was "guilty of a serious crime, the punishment for which could only be death".[7] The two were sentenced to death on October 9,1992.
[edit] Awards and Recognition
- Maha Vir Chakra (MVC) in 1965 - for distinctive service in the Indo-Pak war
- Bar to Maha Vir Chakra (MVC) in 1971 - for service in the Indo-Pak war
- Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM)
- Padma Vibhushan Posthumous
[edit] References
- ^ Operation Bluestar, 20 Years On, The Rediff Special, June 3, 2004.
- ^ Nickerson, Colin. Indian General who Ordered Golden Temple Raid is Slain, Boston Globe, August 11, 1986.
- ^ Associated Press. Shrine Leader Killed in Ambush,The Dallas Morning News, August 11, 1986.
- ^ Weisman, Steven R. A Top Indian General is Assassinated, Seattle Post-Intelligencer, August 11, 1986.
- ^ Sun-Times Wires. Sikhs kill ex-army chief, massacre revenge hinted, Chicago Sun-Times, August 11, 1986.
- ^ a b Associated Press. General cremated; Sikhs admit to killing, Houston Chronicle, August 11, 1986.
- ^ a b The Vaidya Murder Case: Confirming Death Sentences, India Abroad. (New York edition). New York, N.Y.: Jul 24, 1992.Vol.XXII, Iss. 43; pg. 20.
