CHANDIGARH ,India: Indian Prime Minister, Mr. Rajiv Gandhi escaped unhurt an assassination attempt on Oct. 2, 1986, Shots were fired at him from a country made pistol when he visited Rajghat to pay his homage to Mahatma Gandhi on the 117 birth anniversary of the Mahatma.

The assailant, Mr. Karam jit Singh, surrendered after firing three shots. In a statement to the police, he disclosed that he had no connection with the Sikh freedom fighters. He said he had planned to kill Gandhi to avenge his friend’s death who was burnt alive during the November, 1984, anti-Sikh riots. He told the police that he was mentally disturbed on account of his friend’s horrible death.

He alone planned this attack ‘and selected the weapon and place of attack after considerable thought, He never considered taking help from the freedom fighters. He also disclosed that he had used a fire arm for the first time’ on that day. He had never handled any weapon before. He did not even test the pistol that he used for the attack; Police is investigating to know if there was any deeper conspiracy involved in the attack.

 From all accounts it appears that Karamjit Singh did it all by himself. From the selection of the bush and pre~ cautions that he took to keep himself hidden, it appears that he had planned everything very carefully. He bad occupied that place a ‘week before the attack. He even developed fever because of exposure in rain, He visited the bazaar for medicine but he remained entrenched there after September 27. He had with him roasted grains, water and flit for mosquitoes.

According to the police he fired the first shot when the Prime Minister arrived there but missed because of the jerk. He noticed some activity after the shot but all became quite after sometime. He ‘again fired at the Prime Minister when he returned but again missed. His third shot also failed to hit the Prime Minister. After the third shot, security men started firing in the direction of the bush in which he was hiding. He surrendered when the bush was surrounded by, them, He said that he did not give his correct name in the first instance as he feared that it may cause anti Sikh riots again.

Article extracted from this publication >> October 10, 1986