Sri Lanka Sailor Strikes Gandhi With Gun
Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi was struck with a rifle on his shoulder today by a sailor in a Sri Lankan honor guard minutes before Gandhi left the island after a controversial two-day visit.
Indian diplomats in Colombo said Gandhi, 44, was stunned but not seriously injured by the blow to his left neck and shoulder by a member of the honor guard participating in a formal farewell ceremony this morning at the Presidential Palace.
The Indian leader, son of assassinated Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, was wearing a bulletproof vest that aides said took some of the blow from the sailor’s AK-47 assault rifle.
Before the attack, the honor guard was ordered to exchange rifles so that no sailor could secretly load his weapon.
The attacker was immediately arrested. No motive was revealed for the attack on Gandhi.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
