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Today in History: Rajiv Gandhi assassinated by suicide bomber in Sriperumbudur

5/21/2026

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Summary

Story summary

On 21 May 1991, former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi was killed in a suicide bombing at Sriperumbudur, Tamil Nadu, about 40 km southwest of Chennai. The attack, carried out by 22-year-old Kalaivani Rajaratnam of the banned LTTE, also killed 14 bystanders and occurred shortly after India withdrew its peace-keeping forces from Sri Lanka.

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Story summary

On 21 May 1991, former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi was killed in a suicide bombing at Sriperumbudur, Tamil Nadu, about 40 km southwest of Chennai. The attack, carried out by 22-year-old Kalaivani Rajaratnam of the banned LTTE, also killed 14 bystanders and occurred shortly after India withdrew its peace-keeping forces from Sri Lanka.