On December 24, 1999, the hijacking of IC 814 by five terrorists marked a grim milestone in aviation history. The Airbus A300, en route from Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu to Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi, was overtaken by militants shortly after entering Indian airspace. The aircraft, operated by Indian Airlines, was commandeered by five operatives of Harkat-ul-Mujahideen (HuM) from Pakistan, setting the stage for a dramatic and harrowing ordeal.
Terrorists’ Flight Path
The hijackers directed the plane to multiple locations during their operation. The first stop was Amritsar, where the aircraft was forced to land for a short period. From there, it was flown to Lahore, Pakistan, where refueling was allowed despite initial resistance. The plane then headed towards Kabul but was diverted to Dubai due to night-landing restrictions in Kabul. Each stop added to the growing tension and desperation of those onboard.
Tragic Developments in Dubai
On December 25, 1999, the plane landed at a Dubai air force base at 1:32 AM. Here, 27 passengers, including women and children, were released. However, the release came with a tragic cost—Rupin Katyal, a 25-year-old passenger, was found dead from stab wounds inflicted by the hijackers. The aircraft departed Dubai at 6:20 AM, heading towards its final destination.
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Arrival and Negotiations
The aircraft landed in Kandahar, Afghanistan, at 8:33 AM on December 25, where it remained until December 31, 1999. During this period, intense negotiations between the Indian government and the hijackers took place. The primary demand of the terrorists was the release of several Islamist militants detained in India, including Masood Azhar, Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh, and Mushtaq Ahmed Zargar. After seven days of intense talks, India agreed to release these individuals in exchange for the hostages’ freedom.
The Hostages’ Plight
Throughout the ordeal, the passengers endured extreme hardship. The conditions on the aircraft were dire, with threats of death, inadequate food and water, overflowing toilets, and cramped quarters. The situation tested the resolve and endurance of everyone on board.
Resolution and Aftermath
The hijacking ended on December 31, 1999, when the remaining passengers and crew were flown back to Delhi on two special flights. The aircraft returned to Delhi at 12:22 PM on January 1, 2000, concluding a harrowing chapter in aviation history. The incident left a lasting impact on Indian aviation security and international counter-terrorism efforts.
The Kandahar hijacking remains a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities in global aviation and the ongoing challenges in combating terrorism.
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