The hijacking of Indian Airlines Flight IC 814.
The hijacking of Indian Airlines Flight IC 814 was a complex and high-stakes crisis with far-reaching implications. Here’s a more detailed account:
Incident Overview
- Flight Details: Indian Airlines Flight IC 814 was a Boeing 737-200 operating on a domestic route from Kathmandu, Nepal, to New Delhi, India, with a stopover in Amritsar, Punjab.
Hijacking Details
- Date and Time: The hijacking began on December 24, 1999, when the aircraft took off from Kathmandu.
- Hijackers: Five armed militants, affiliated with the terrorist organization Harkat-ul-Mujahideen (HuM), led by Maulana Masood Azhar, took control of the plane. They were armed with firearms and explosives.
- Hijacking Method: The hijackers, pretending to be passengers, took control of the plane shortly after takeoff. They had planned the hijacking in advance and were prepared for multiple stages of the operation.
Demands and Negotiations
- Initial Demands: The hijackers demanded the release of three terrorists from Indian prisons:
- Maulana Masood Azhar: Leader of the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) militant group.
- Omar Sheikh: A British-born terrorist.
- Mushtaq Ahmed Zargar: A militant leader.
- Negotiations: Indian authorities, under pressure to save the lives of the 155 passengers and crew on board, engaged in extended negotiations with the hijackers. The Indian government faced intense international and domestic pressure to resolve the situation without resorting to violence.
Key Events During the Hijacking
- Landing in Amritsar: The plane was diverted to Amritsar’s airport, where it remained on the tarmac for several hours. During this time, Indian authorities attempted to negotiate with the hijackers while also preparing a potential rescue operation.
- Diversion to Lahore: The plane was subsequently diverted to Lahore, Pakistan. The Pakistani authorities, at first, offered support, but the hijackers demanded further concessions, leading to a tense standoff.
- Arrival in Kandahar: After several days of negotiations and threats, the plane was flown to Kandahar, Afghanistan, which was under Taliban control at the time. The hijackers demanded that their demands be met before releasing the hostages.
Resolution and Release
- Government Decision: Facing an increasingly dire situation and fearing for the lives of the hostages, the Indian government made the controversial decision to release the three terrorists in exchange for the hostages’ freedom. The decision was made under significant pressure and in consultation with various international parties.
- Release of Hostages: On December 31, 1999, the hijackers released the hostages after receiving confirmation that the terrorists had been freed. The passengers and crew were safely returned to India.
Aftermath and Consequences
- Impact on Security: The hijacking led to significant changes in aviation security protocols, including increased security screenings, tighter regulations on carry-on items, and enhanced counter-terrorism measures worldwide.
- Diplomatic Fallout: The incident strained India-Pakistan relations. Although the Pakistani government was not directly involved, the involvement of militants based in Pakistan led to heightened tensions between the two countries.
- Further Activities of Released Terrorists: Maulana Masood Azhar went on to found the Jaish-e-Mohammed, a group involved in several terrorist attacks, including the 2001 Indian Parliament attack. Omar Sheikh was implicated in various terrorist activities, including the murder of journalist Daniel Pearl.
Legacy
- International Response: The hijacking underscored the need for global cooperation in combating terrorism and improving aviation security. It also highlighted the challenges faced by governments when dealing with hostage situations involving terrorists.
The IC 814 hijacking remains a critical case study in counter-terrorism and aviation security, reflecting the complexities and difficult choices faced by governments in high-stakes situations.
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