Windsor Castle intruder Jaswant Chail wanted to kill Queen for 1919 Indian massacre
The man who entered Windsor Castle grounds on Christmas Day has been identified by police as Jaswant Singh Chail, a day after he was arrested. According to reports, Chail entered the grounds of the castle armed with a crossbow on a deadly mission - to assassinate The Queen in retaliation for the 1919 Jallianwallah Bagh massacre in India.
Chail reportedly sent a Snapchat video to friends less than 30 minutes before his attempt, detailing his plans for the day. The attempt came hours after The Queen's emotional Christmas Day message to the British public. The monarch has made Windsor Castle her new home, having moved in early 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. It is also the final resting place of Prince Philip, who insisted on spending his final days at the residence, over a hospital.
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Luckily, Chail wasn't able to go through with his plan, with the 19-year-old being detained shortly after he entered the grounds. A day later, more has been revealed about his chilling plans, indicating things could have really gotten out of hand had it not been for the quick response of the Metropolitan Police's Royal Protection command.
Who is Jaswant Singh Chail?
The Indian-origin man lives in the southern city of Southampton with his family according to reports. Little else is known about him at the moment, and it appears any social media profiles linked to him have since been taken down. Known as 'Jas' to his friends, the 19-year-old reportedly scaled the fence of the castle with a rope ladder, armed with a crossbow which is not illegal in the UK.
Around 8:00 AM, Chail sent a Snapchat video to friends detailing his plans. "I’m sorry. I’m sorry for what I’ve done and what I will do. I will attempt to assassinate Elizabeth, Queen of the Royal Family," he said. Chail went on to add, "This is revenge for those who have died in the 1919 Jallianwala Bagh massacre. It is also revenge for those who have been killed, humiliated, and discriminated on because of their race. I’m an Indian Sikh, a Sith. My name was Jaswant Singh Chail, my name is Darth Jones."
He went on to add that he did not expect to survive the attack, saying, "If you have received this then my death is near. Please share this with whoever and if possible get it to the news if they’re interested." Chail triggered alarms when he entered the grounds near the Cambridge Gate and was as close as 500 meters from the Queen's private apartment. At the time, the monarch was having breakfast before she was due to address the nation.
It's unclear how Chail made his way from Southampton to the castle, or what prompted the attack. Police raided his home shortly after his arrest, while he was detained under the Mental Health Act. The Metropolitan Police has since taken over the case, with a spokesperson telling The Sun, "inquiries into the full circumstances of this incident are being progressed by Metropolitan Police Specialist Operations."
At the time, as many as 20 Royals were in the castle with The Queen, and Prince Andrew was reportedly on his way. The disgraced royal was since redirected to enter via another gate after the incident, while security at the residence was beefed up.