General Arun S. Vaidya
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General Arun Shridhar Vaidya, MVC(Bar), AVSM (Died: 25 August, 1986) was the 15th Chief of Army Staff (COAS) of the Indian Army. 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 Shakergarh, in 1971.
Controversies
As COAS, 1983-1986 he oversaw Operation Blue Star, the necessary but controversial and bloody attack on the Golden Temple, 1984. The Golden Temple is to the Sikhs what the Vatican is to Catholics. It had been taken over by terrorists seeking independence for Indian Punjab.Awards and Recognition
- Maha Vir Chakra (MVC) in 1965 - for distinctive service in the Indo-Pak war
- Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM)
- Padma Vibhushan
Death
The storming of the Golden Temple was the cause of his eventual death. He was assassinated by two Sikh extremists in Pune,on 25 August 1986, shortly after his retirement.
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