A Mysterious case of Hijacking

The animosity brewing between India and Pakistan since the wake of the partition is a tale for the ages. Through a series of conflicts and reconciliation, both countries were ready to move forward on friendlier terms. However, an event that happened on September 10, 1976, threatened reconciliation both nations were hoping to achieve.

Indian Airlines Boeing 737. Image Source: Nyooz.com

When the crew and passengers boarded the Indian Airlines Boeing 737, they thought it would be an uneventful journey, probably disrupted only by passengers walking up and down the aisle. Little did they know that their journey from Delhi to Bombay would take a detour, and they'd find themselves in a foreign territory. September 10, 1976, is a date that anyone is unlikely to forget.

India had banned Pakistani planes from India's airspace because they believed that Pakistan encouraged hijackers in 1971 to hijack an Indian flight. India and Pakistan were coming out of a sensitive zone, and they'd decided to turn a new leaf in their relations. The ban was lifted after six weeks in the spirit of reconciliation and there was hope that such incidents would be prevented in the future.

Capt. B.N Reddy and Co-Pilot R.S Yadav were sure that nothing could go wrong with the flight until a man stormed into the cockpit, pointed a gun to their heads, and forced them to make a detour. They realized that this flight would no longer be landing in Bombay.

The pilots kept their cool and stayed calm throughout the ordeal.

They asked the hijacker what he wanted, and all they got was a curt response, ordering them to land in Libya. The pilots said that they only had enough fuel to fly to Jaipur or Delhi. The hijacker then asked them to land the plane in Karachi.

He was visibly flustered when the pilot told him it would not be possible.

Ultimately, Indian Airlines Boeing 737 landed safely in Lahore, where the pilots said they'd need to refuel, get the air maps, and contact the control towers in Pakistan.

On learning upon the incident, the Indian authorities formally requested Pakistan to act cautiously and ensure the safety of the crew and the passengers on the aircraft.

The hijackers were much more relaxed once the plane had reached Lahore. The passengers and captain mentioned that the hijackers were sensitive to people's needs and let people de-board in case they experienced extreme discomfort.

The Pakistani authorities tried to delay the situation for as long as they could. The hijackers were fed a hearty meal, and after having doped drinks, the Pakistani Army managed to capture the hijackers.

On 11th September 1976, the Indian Airlines Boeing 737 safely made its way back to Delhi. All crew and passengers were safe

Although, the reasons for hijacking the plane remain a mystery. It really is one of the strangest cases of hijacking which neither of the nations is bound to forget.