Aircraft Hijacking: The Harrowing Story of Indian Airlines Flight 814

Introduction

On December 24, 1999, Indian Airlines Flight 814 was hijacked by five terrorists belonging to the Harkat-ul-Mujahideen group. The aircraft, carrying 176 passengers and 11 crew members, was en route from Kathmandu, Nepal, to Delhi, India. The hijackers demanded the release of three militants imprisoned in India and threatened to blow up the plane if their demands were not met.

The Hijacking

The hijacking began at approximately 8:00 AM local time. The terrorists, armed with AK-47 rifles and grenades, stormed the cockpit and took control of the aircraft. They forced the pilots to fly to Amritsar, Punjab, where they refueled the plane. From Amritsar, the hijackers flew the plane to Kandahar, Afghanistan, which was then under the control of the Taliban. They released 27 passengers, mostly women and children, in Amritsar. In Kandahar, they demanded the release of three militants held in Indian prisons: Maulana Masood Azhar, Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh, and Mushtaq Ahmed Zargar.

The Negotiations

The Indian government initially refused to negotiate with the hijackers. However, after several days of intense negotiations, the government agreed to release the three militants in exchange for the safe return of the hostages. On December 31, 1999, the three militants were released from Indian prisons and flown to Kandahar. The hijackers then released the remaining hostages and flew the plane to Dubai, where it landed safely.

The Aftermath

The hijacking of Indian Airlines Flight 814 was a major international incident. It raised serious questions about the security of civilian aviation and led to increased security measures at airports around the world. The Indian government was criticized for its handling of the crisis, particularly for agreeing to release the three militants. However, the government argued that it had no choice but to negotiate in order to save the lives of the hostages.

Conclusion

The hijacking of Indian Airlines Flight 814 was a traumatic event for the passengers, crew, and families involved. It is a reminder of the threat of terrorism and the importance of international cooperation in combating this global menace.