Moscow: Mikhail Kalashnikov, the designer of famed Russian AK-47 assault rifle, passed away Monday in his home city of Izhevsk, an industrial town, Xinhua reported.
"We received sad news today ... Kalashnikov died at the age of 94 after a prolonged illness," Viktor Chulkov, press secretary of the president of Russia's Udmurt Republic, said.
Kalashnikov had been admitted to an intensive care unit in Izhevsk, capital of the Udmurt Republic, in serious but stable condition in mid-November. In June, Kalashnikov reportedly underwent a surgery in Moscow to have a pacemaker implanted.
The automatic rifle that Kalashnikov designed became one of the world's most familiar and widely used weapons. Its comparative simplicity made it cheap to manufacture, as well as reliable and easy to maintain.
Though honoured by the state, Kalashnikov made little money from his gun. He once said he would have been better off designing a lawn mower, BBC reported.
AK-47, now believed to be in use in more than 100 countries, has been listed among the "outstanding inventions" of the 20th century.
In 2002, during a visit to Germany, Kalashnikov said that he was proud of his invention, but also saddened to know that the AK-47 rifles were widely used by terrorists.
The inventor died just a few hours after Kalashnikov Concern, an enterprise named after him, announced that the company was going to modernise its well-known AK assault rifle and increase its export.
Comments
| Quick linksNews
National
International
Regional
Politics
Education & Career
Business
Science & Technology
Health
Views & Analysis
The Funny Side
© 2012 Awaz Multimedia & Publications. All rights reserved.
Arvind Kejriwal to be Delhi's new Chief MinisterAam Aadmi Party's founder-leader Arvind Kejriwal will become the chief minister of Delhi, a party member said here Monday. The AAP founder earlier addressed a press conference and then headed .... More
Also Read: Kejriwal heading for Governor house, says ready to form govt in Delhi
Rahul urges riot victims to return home but silent on their securityInteracting with inmates at the relief camps in Malakpur area of Shamli, he said that by staying in the relief camps you are playing in the hands of... More
Also Read: Inside the camps for Muzaffarnagar riot victims
First anti incumbency factor is haunting the Congress party. Congress is now in power since 2004 and people are feeling fatigued with its rule. It is obvious that the anti Congress sentiments is going to be cashed by the BJP but will it be able to replace it is something questionable..... More
Abdullah made the announcement on the birth anniversary of his father and NC founder, Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah, in Srinagar despite Congress insiders telling IANS that the NC's coalition partner wanted to field its candidate for at least one..... More
