Mystrey of flight IC- 814 | The Worst plane Hijacking in Indian History by Dhruv Rathee

Mystrey of flight IC- 814 | The Worst plane Hijacking in Indian History by Dhruv Rathee

 

The hijacking of Indian Airlines Flight 814, also known as IC-814, occurred on December 24, 1999. The flight was en route from Kathmandu, Nepal, to Delhi, India, when it was hijacked by five terrorists who were part of the extremist group, Harkat-ul-Mujahideen. The hijackers demanded the release of three militants who were being held in Indian prisons for their involvement in various terrorist attacks.

 

The hijackers took control of the aircraft and flew it to several different locations, including Lahore, Pakistan, and Dubai, United Arab Emirates, before finally landing in Kandahar, Afghanistan, which was then under the control of the Taliban.

 

For seven days, the passengers and crew of IC-814 were held hostage in the aircraft, and negotiations between the Indian government and the hijackers continued. Finally, on December 31, 1999, after several tense days of negotiations, the Indian government agreed to release three militants in exchange for the safe release of the passengers and crew.

 

The hijacking of IC-814 was one of the worst in Indian history, with over 160 passengers and crew members on board. The incident raised serious questions about the security of India's airports and airlines, and led to major changes in India's aviation security policies.

 

The incident also highlighted the problem of terrorism in the region and the need for greater international cooperation in combating this threat. The hijacking of IC-814 remains a tragic reminder of the dangers of terrorism and the need for continued efforts to prevent such incidents from happening in the future.

 

The hijacking of IC-814 was a highly coordinated and planned operation, carried out by trained and determined terrorists. The hijackers were armed with knives and guns, and they threatened to kill the passengers and crew if their demands were not met.

 

The incident drew worldwide attention, and several countries, including the United States, offered their assistance to India in dealing with the crisis. However, India refused any direct intervention by foreign powers and chose to negotiate directly with the hijackers.

 

The Indian government faced significant criticism for its handling of the crisis, with many questioning why the hijackers were able to board the plane with weapons and how they were able to take control of the aircraft so easily. The incident also highlighted the need for better coordination and communication among different security agencies in India.

 

In the aftermath of the hijacking, the Indian government took several steps to improve airport and airline security. This included the installation of CCTV cameras, metal detectors, and x-ray scanners at airports, as well as the creation of a dedicated aviation security force.

 

The incident also had a significant impact on the families of the passengers and crew members who were held hostage for seven days. Many of them suffered from trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder, and some continue to seek compensation and justice for their ordeal.

 

Overall, the hijacking of IC-814 remains one of the most tragic and significant incidents in Indian aviation history, highlighting the ongoing threat of terrorism and the need for continued efforts to combat this menace.

 

The hijacking of IC-814 also had a significant impact on India's relations with Pakistan, as some of the hijackers had connections to Pakistani-based extremist groups. India accused Pakistan of supporting the hijackers and demanded that Pakistan take action against the groups responsible. However, Pakistan denied any involvement in the hijacking and called for a peaceful resolution of the crisis.

 

The incident also highlighted the issue of hostage-taking as a means of achieving political goals, and the challenges faced by governments in dealing with such situations. The Indian government's decision to negotiate with the hijackers was criticized by some as it was seen as capitulating to terrorist demands. However, others argued that the safety of the passengers and crew members was of paramount importance, and negotiating was the only way to secure their release.

 

The hijacking of IC-814 also had wider implications for international aviation security, leading to increased scrutiny of security measures at airports worldwide. The incident highlighted the need for greater cooperation and coordination among different countries in addressing the threat of terrorism and ensuring the safety of air travelers.

 

In the years since the hijacking of IC-814, India has made significant progress in strengthening its aviation security infrastructure. However, the threat of terrorism remains a persistent challenge, and governments around the world continue to work together to address this threat and ensure the safety of air travelers.

 

The hijacking of IC-814 had long-lasting implications on Indian aviation security policies, with significant changes implemented in the years following the incident. Some of these changes include the formation of the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) in 2000, which is responsible for regulating aviation security in India.

 

The BCAS has introduced a range of measures to strengthen airport security, including stricter screening of passengers and baggage, increased use of technology such as explosive detection systems, and the deployment of armed personnel at airports.

 

Additionally, the Indian government has invested in modernizing airport infrastructure, including the installation of advanced security equipment and the development of a comprehensive security management system.

 

India has also strengthened its counter-terrorism capabilities in the years since the hijacking of IC-814. This includes the formation of specialized anti-terrorism units such as the National Security Guard (NSG), which is tasked with handling hostage situations and other terrorist threats.

 

The hijacking of IC-814 remains a sobering reminder of the ongoing threat of terrorism and the need for continued vigilance in ensuring the safety of air travelers. The incident also highlighted the importance of international cooperation in combating terrorism and addressing the root causes of extremism.

The hijacking of IC-814 also led to changes in the way Indian authorities respond to hijacking incidents. The Indian government has since developed a comprehensive set of guidelines for dealing with hijackings, which include measures for preventing hijackings, responding to hijackings, and managing the aftermath of a hijacking incident.

 

These guidelines emphasize the importance of coordination between different government agencies, including law enforcement, intelligence, and aviation security personnel, in responding to hijackings. They also outline specific procedures for negotiating with hijackers and for the use of force as a last resort.

 

The hijacking of IC-814 also had a significant impact on the families of the passengers and crew members who were held hostage. Many of these families have continued to seek justice and compensation for their ordeal, with some filing lawsuits against the Indian government and Indian Airlines, the operator of the hijacked flight.

 

In response to these lawsuits, the Indian government has set up a compensation fund for the families of the victims of the hijacking. However, some families have criticized the amount of compensation offered, arguing that it is inadequate given the trauma and loss they have suffered.

 

Overall, the hijacking of IC-814 was a tragic incident that highlighted the ongoing threat of terrorism and the challenges faced by governments in addressing this threat. The incident led to significant changes in Indian aviation security policies and underscored the importance of international cooperation in combating terrorism.

 

mor about that terrorist Masood Azhar :

 

The terrorists who carried out the hijacking of IC-814 have been identified as members of Harkat-ul-Mujahideen (HuM), a Pakistan-based extremist group. The group is believed to have links to Al-Qaeda and has been involved in several other terrorist incidents in India and elsewhere.

 

One of the leaders of the hijacking, identified as Masood Azhar, was released by the Indian government in exchange for the release of the hostages. Azhar went on to become the founder and leader of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), another Pakistan-based extremist group that has been responsible for several terrorist attacks in India.

 

The hijacking of IC-814 was not the first time that HuM had carried out a terrorist attack in India. The group had been involved in several other incidents prior to the hijacking, including the bombing of the Indian embassy in Kabul in 1995 and the killing of several Indian soldiers in Kashmir.

 

Following the hijacking of IC-814, the Indian government accused Pakistan of supporting HuM and other terrorist groups operating in India. The incident led to a significant deterioration in India-Pakistan relations, with both countries accusing each other of sponsoring terrorism.

 

Masood Azhar, the leader of the hijacking, continues to be a controversial figure in the context of India-Pakistan relations. He has been designated as a terrorist by several countries, including the United States, and there have been calls for his extradition from Pakistan to face trial for his role in the hijacking and other terrorist incidents. However, Pakistan has refused to extradite him, citing lack of evidence.

 

The hijacking of IC-814 remains a tragic reminder of the ongoing threat of terrorism and the challenges faced by governments in combating this menace. It also highlights the need for greater international cooperation in addressing the root causes of extremism and preventing terrorist attacks.

 

In addition to Masood Azhar, the hijacking of IC-814 involved several other terrorists, including Ibrahim Athar and Shahid Akhtar Sayed, who were both also released by the Indian government in exchange for the hostages.

 

The hijackers had reportedly planned the attack for several months and were able to smuggle weapons and explosives onto the plane without being detected. Once on board, they threatened to kill the passengers and crew members if their demands were not met, which included the release of several militants being held in Indian prisons.

 

The Indian government initially refused to negotiate with the hijackers but ultimately agreed to release the militants in exchange for the hostages. The hijackers and the militants they demanded to be released were flown to Afghanistan, where they were greeted by senior Taliban officials.

 

The hijacking of IC-814 was a major embarrassment for the Indian government, which was criticized for its handling of the incident. There were also questions raised about the adequacy of India's aviation security measures, as the hijackers were able to carry weapons and explosives onto the plane without being detected.

 

The incident led to a significant overhaul of India's aviation security policies, with stricter screening procedures and other measures implemented to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.

 

The hijacking of IC-814 also had broader implications for international air travel, with several countries introducing new measures to prevent terrorists from hijacking planes. These include reinforced cockpit doors, stricter passenger screening procedures, and increased use of air marshals on flights.

 

Overall, the hijacking of IC-814 was a tragic incident that highlighted the ongoing threat of terrorism and the need for greater cooperation between governments to combat this menace. It also underscored the importance of robust aviation security measures to ensure the safety of air travelers.