Mystery of Flight IC-814 | The Worst Plane Hijacking in Indian History | Dhruv Rathee

Summary

On December 24, 1999, Indian Airlines flight IC 814 was hijacked shortly after taking off from Kathmandu, leading to a week-long standoff that captivated India. Five hijackers demanded $200 million and the release of terrorists, prompting a failed rescue attempt by Indian authorities. After landing in Lahore and then Kandahar, negotiations ultimately led to the release of hostages in exchange for freeing three prisoners. The incident highlighted critical failures in crisis management and communication by Indian officials, sparking widespread criticism. Remarkably, since this incident, no further plane hijackings have occurred in India, resulting in stricter security measures.

Takeaways

• ✈️ Indian Airlines flight IC 814 was hijacked on December 24, 1999, shortly after takeoff from Kathmandu to Delhi.
• 💰 The hijackers demanded $200 million and the release of several terrorists in exchange for the passengers' safety.
• 📺 The hijacking was broadcasted live, and the entire country followed the unfolding crisis for seven days.
• 🔫 The hijackers, armed and masked, took control of the plane shortly after serving food to the passengers.
• 🚫 The plane was initially directed towards Pakistan but was denied landing permission by Pakistani air traffic control.
• 🛬 The flight managed to land in Amritsar for refueling, which provided a crucial opportunity for Indian authorities.
• ⚠️ A significant communication failure occurred, as key officials learned about the hijacking from news reports rather than official channels.
• 🕑 The hijackers ultimately diverted the flight to Kandahar, Afghanistan, where it remained for six days amidst negotiations.
• 🤝 After intense negotiations, the Indian government agreed to the hijackers' demands, resulting in the release of three terrorists in exchange for the passengers' safety.
• 🛡️ Following this incident, India implemented stricter aviation security measures, leading to no further hijackings since then.

Q & A

What event is the video transcript discussing?

The video discusses the hijacking of Indian Airlines flight IC 814 on December 24, 1999, which was hijacked while flying from Kathmandu to Delhi.

How long was the flight originally expected to take?

The flight usually takes about 2 hours to fly from Kathmandu to Delhi.

What were the hijackers' main demands?

The hijackers demanded $200 million and the release of certain terrorists from jail, among other demands.

How many hijackers were involved in the incident?

Five hijackers took control of the plane.

What was the reaction of the Indian government upon learning about the hijacking?

The Indian government, including Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, was notified about the hijacking with a delay, and crisis management efforts were initiated.

What critical mistake was made by the Indian authorities during the hijacking?

A significant mistake was the communication failure, as key officials, including the Punjab's Director General of Police, learned about the hijacking through TV news instead of official channels.

What happened when the plane attempted to land in Lahore, Pakistan?

The plane was denied permission to land in Lahore by the Pakistani air traffic controllers, prompting the hijackers to request landing in Amritsar instead.

What led to the failure of the Indian forces to execute a rescue operation at Amritsar?

A series of miscommunications and delays in refueling the plane allowed the hijackers to regain control and take off again, thwarting any rescue attempts.

What was the ultimate fate of the passengers on flight IC 814?

After a prolonged negotiation, the hijackers released the passengers in exchange for the release of three prisoners and a significant ransom.

What changes were made in aviation security in India following this hijacking incident?

Since the hijacking of flight IC 814, strict regulations and processes have been implemented to enhance aviation security and prevent similar incidents from occurring.