Indira Gandhi died in hospital after an operation to remove bullets

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Indira Gandhi, the Prime Minister of India, has been killed by assassins in New Delhi.

Mrs Gandhi was thought to have been walking through her gardens when she was shot. She was taken to the All India Medical Hospital where she underwent an emergency operation to remove the bullets but died an hour and a half later.

Initial reports suggest the two attackers were guards at her home who were then shot by other security officers.

No exact motive is known but it is believed the pair were Sikh extremists acting in retaliation for the storming of Sikh holy shrine the Golden Temple in June.

Mrs Gandhi had been receiving death threats since the attack on the temple in which 1,000 people died.

The night before her death she told a political rally: "I don't mind if my life goes in the service of the nation. If I die today, every drop of my blood will invigorate the nation."

Security throughout the country has been stepped up. Roads to the hospital and the home of the prime minister have been sealed off and borders around Delhi have been closed.

The Indian cabinet has started an emergency meeting to choose a successor.

India's High Commissioner Prakash Mehrotra said: "Democracy is very deep rooted in our country and the country is prepared to face any situation. A meeting is being called in Delhi, it is usual that the number two man in the cabinet takes charge for the time being".

Mrs Gandhi first became Prime Minister in 1966 and again in 1980 and was praised for her battle against famine in rural areas.

Stan Orme from the Anglo Indian Parliamentary Association said: "It is a very terrible thing. She was a very impressive person, very strong willed. It is a real tragedy."
  

A massive crowd turned out to say farewell to their long-serving leader

The change of leadership to Mohamad's deputy, Abdullah Badawi, has been anticipated since Dr Mahathir announced his resignation in June 2002. He agreed to stay on until today to ease the transition to his successor.

Dr Mahathir has led Malaysia for almost half its history since independence in 1957, and the handover is a big change for a country where about 40% of the population were not even born when he came to power.

In that time, he has overseen Malaysia's transformation from a backwater to high-flying industrialised nation.

The 78-year-old Dr Mahathir has also gained a controversial reputation abroad as a blunt-speaking pragmatist who regularly lashes out at the West and defends authoritarian practices at home.

Only a few days ago, he angered foreign governments and Jewish groups by claiming a Jewish cabal "ruled the world".

He was also criticised for the abrupt dismissal and arrest of former Deputy Prime Minister, Anwar Ibrahim.

Anwar was jailed for six years in 1999 on charges of corruption, and given a further nine-year sentence in 2000 on a charge of sodomy.

Anwar claims both charges were politically motivated.

Dr Mahathir has himself admitted he is ready for retirement.

"I've had my day. It's other people's turn now," he told reporters. "I had 22 years. I can't complain."

The handover took place at a ceremony in the National Palace, broadcast live on television.

The King of Malaysia, Syed Sirajuddin Putra Jamalullail, swore in Abdullah Badawi as the country's next prime minister.

Mr Badawi, wearing a black tunic and traditional ethnic Malay dress, pledged to "fulfil the obligations of this position honestly and with all my energy".

At the end of the day, Dr Mahathir symbolically checked out at the new government city in Putrajaya using the punch card system he introduced for civil servants.

Mr Abdullah will check in using the same system on Monday morning.

The new prime minister is very different in style from Dr Mahathir.

He is seen as a safe pair of hands, yet someone who has gained a tough reputation in his treatment of political opponents and alleged terrorists.

He will have his first major test in a general election widely expected early next year.

assassin: a murderer (especially one who kills a prominent political figure) who kills by a treacherous surprise attack and often is hired to do the deed（刺客）