IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack: A Riveting Tale of Terror and Resilience
Indian Airlines Flight 814 Hijacked in 1999
On August 24, 1999, Indian Airlines Flight 814, carrying 179 passengers and 11 crew members, was hijacked by five armed men shortly after takeoff from Kathmandu, Nepal.
The terrorists, who claimed to belong to the Pakistan-based terrorist group Harkat-ul-Mujahideen, demanded the release of three imprisoned Kashmiri militants in exchange for the hostages.
The hijacking lasted for seven tense days, with the plane being flown to several locations, including Amritsar, Dubai, and Kandahar, Afghanistan.
Negotiations and Tragic Loss
The Indian government engaged in tense negotiations with the hijackers, led by Masood Azhar, who is now designated as a global terrorist.
On December 31, 1999, one hostage, Rubina Khalsa, was killed by the hijackers.
Finally, on January 31, 2000, the hostages were released in exchange for the three Kashmiri militants.
Legacy and Lessons Learned
The Kandahar hijacking shocked India and the world, highlighting vulnerabilities in the country's aviation security.
It led to a number of security measures being implemented, including the establishment of the National Investigation Agency and the Central Industrial Security Force that guards aviation facilities.
The hijacking also underlined the need for international cooperation in combating terrorism.
Key Facts at a Glance
- Date of hijacking: August 24, 1999
- Number of hostages: 179 passengers and 11 crew members
- Number of hijackers: Five
- Demand: Release of three imprisoned Kashmiri militants
- Duration of hijacking: Seven days
- Location of release: Kandahar, Afghanistan
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