Hijack controversy with Netflix Show IC 814 the Kandahar Hijack

Hijack controversy with Netflix Show IC 814 the Kandahar Hijack

Netflix recently faced controversy regarding its series IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack, which dramatizes the infamous 1999 hijacking of an Indian Airlines flight. Released in August 2024, the series sparked outrage due to its portrayal of the hijackers, who were members of the Islamic jihadist group Harkat-ul-Mujahideen. Critics accused the show of implying that the hijackers were Hindus by primarily using their codenames, which were non-Muslim. This portrayal led to a backlash, especially from some Indian political figures, who expressed concerns that future audiences might be misled into believing that the hijackers were Hindu.

As a response to the controversy, Netflix updated the series with disclaimers that clearly mention both the real and code names of the hijackers, aiming to provide clarity to the viewers. Despite this correction, the series remains a flashpoint for debates about historical accuracy and cultural sensitivities in media.

Netflix was also summoned by India’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to address concerns over the series, which further intensified the scrutiny surrounding the show.

Flashback Story of IA Flight IC 814 Kandahar Hijack (1999)

The hijacking of Indian Airlines Flight IC 814 is one of the most harrowing incidents in India’s aviation and counter-terrorism history. The event not only tested India’s diplomatic and security apparatus but also left an indelible mark on the psyche of the nation. Here’s a detailed account of the entire IC 814 hijacking episode.

The Flight and the Hijacking (December 24, 1999)

On December 24, 1999, Indian Airlines Flight IC 814, a scheduled flight from Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, Nepal, to Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi, was hijacked shortly after it entered Indian airspace. The aircraft was an Airbus A300, carrying 176 passengers and crew members.

At around 5:30 PM IST, five armed men, later identified as members of the militant group Harkat-ul-Mujahideen, stormed the cockpit and took control of the plane. The terrorists were heavily armed, and they made it clear that they were ready to use violence if necessary. They forced the pilots to turn the plane towards Lahore, Pakistan.

First Stop: Lahore

The hijackers demanded that the flight be diverted to Lahore, Pakistan, but Pakistan’s authorities initially denied permission for the plane to land. With fuel running low, the hijackers insisted on landing, and the Pakistani authorities eventually relented. The plane landed at Lahore airport late in the evening.

Pakistani authorities refueled the plane, but did not allow the terrorists to stay long. They shut down all the lights at the airport, essentially forcing the hijackers to take off again. The plane then took off for Dubai, where the next chapter of this hostage crisis unfolded.

Dubai: A Ray of Hope

The hijackers allowed the aircraft to land in Dubai. The situation was tense, but during this stop, some humanitarian progress was made. The hijackers released 27 passengers, including women and children, in exchange for food and fuel. Despite the release of a few hostages, over 150 passengers were still on board, and their ordeal was far from over.

While in Dubai, Indian authorities made their first real contact with the hijackers. However, negotiations did not yield any breakthrough at this point. The plane was refueled and ordered to take off again. The next destination was Kandahar, Afghanistan.

Kandhar: The Final Destination

The plane finally landed in Kandhar, a stronghold of the Taliban regime at the time. The Taliban, who were in control of Afghanistan, surrounded the aircraft with armed personnel. However, the Taliban claimed that they were only providing “protection” and did not interfere with the demands of the hijackers. This made the situation more complex, as the Taliban’s role was unclear, raising suspicions that they may have been sympathizers or even collaborators with the hijackers.

In Kandhar, the hijackers laid down their demands. They wanted the Indian government to release three high-profile militants from custody:

1. Maulana Masood Azhar: A member of the Harkat-ul-Mujahideen and a key player in the global jihadist movement.
2. Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh: A British-born Pakistani terrorist involved in kidnapping and murder cases, including the infamous Daniel Pearl case.
3. Mushtaq Ahmed Zargar: A Kashmiri militant involved in insurgent activities against India.

These were dangerous terrorists, and their release would have far-reaching consequences, not only for India but for global security.

Negotiations and Public Pressure

The Indian government, led by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and his external affairs minister, Jaswant Singh, was under immense pressure. On one hand, there was a strong public outcry to bring the passengers back safely. On the other hand, releasing the three terrorists would embolden militants and set a dangerous precedent for future hijackings and terrorist acts.

Families of the passengers staged protests, and the Indian media gave round-the-clock coverage to the incident, increasing the pressure on the government to act swiftly. India’s options were limited, as any military action would endanger the lives of the hostages.

The Decision to Release the Terrorists

After days of tense negotiations, and with no clear military or diplomatic resolution in sight, the Indian government decided to accept the hijackers’ demands. On December 31, 1999, the three militants – Masood Azhar, Omar Saeed Sheikh, and Mushtaq Zargar – were flown to Kandahar, accompanied by then Indian foreign minister Jaswant Singh.

Once the three militants were handed over, the hijackers freed the passengers and left the scene. The hostages were flown back to India safely, but the consequences of this decision reverberated for years to come.

Aftermath of the Hijacking

While the immediate crisis ended with the safe return of the hostages, the release of the three terrorists had long-lasting repercussions:

1. Masood Azhar went on to establish the terrorist group Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), responsible for numerous attacks on Indian soil, including the 2001 Indian Parliament attack and the 2019 Pulwama terror attack, which led to increased tensions between India and Pakistan.
2. Omar Saeed Sheikh was later involved in the kidnapping and murder of American journalist Daniel Pearl in 2002. He remains a notorious figure in the world of terrorism.
3. Mushtaq Zargar continued his activities in Kashmir, further complicating the region’s already volatile security situation.

Lessons Learned and Security Reforms

The IC 814 hijacking exposed several vulnerabilities in India’s security apparatus, especially in aviation. Several critical lessons were learned:

• Strengthening Airport Security: One of the biggest oversights was the lax security at Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan International Airport, where the hijackers boarded the plane. India took steps to improve its airport security, both domestically and at locations frequently used by Indian travelers.
• Establishment of NSG (National Security Guard) Hubs: In the aftermath of the hijacking, India realized the need for quick response forces to deal with such situations. NSG hubs were set up in several cities across India to ensure a faster and more effective counter-terrorism response.
• Stronger Anti-Hijacking Laws: The incident led to stricter anti-hijacking legislation in India. The new laws allowed the government to take decisive action in case of any future hijacking attempts.
• Diplomatic Challenges: The Kandahar hijacking revealed the diplomatic limitations India faced when dealing with hostile regimes like the Taliban. This experience shaped India’s foreign policy approach towards Afghanistan and Pakistan in the years that followed.

Impact on India’s Global Standing

India’s decision to release the terrorists to save the passengers was widely criticized both domestically and internationally. Many believed it emboldened terrorist organizations, setting a precedent for negotiating with terrorists. However, the government defended its actions, stating that saving the lives of innocent civilians was its top priority.

The Kandhar hijacking also highlighted the need for better intelligence-sharing and coordination between nations. The incident forced India to strengthen its counter-terrorism efforts, both within the country and through international cooperation.

The IC 814 hijacking remains one of the most traumatic events in India’s modern history. It tested the resilience of the Indian state and brought to light the complex challenges of counter-terrorism, diplomacy, and public pressure. While the hostages were saved, the long-term consequences of releasing dangerous terrorists like Masood Azhar continue to haunt India’s security environment.

The lessons learned from this episode have shaped India’s approach to dealing with terrorism, strengthening its resolve to combat militancy both on its soil and abroad.