IC-814 Hijackers Demand Terrorist’s Body In Exchange For Hostages

The hijacking of Indian Airlines’ flight IC-814 by the Harkat-ul-Mujahideen (HuM) on December 24, 1999, posed a significant challenge for the Indian government led by Atal Bihar Vajpayee. The hijackers demanded the release of terrorists, a large sum of money, and other items.

Negotiations were complicated by changing demands and the involvement of various key figures, including National Security Adviser Ajit Doval. The hijackers’ demands for the release of terrorists, including Masood Azhar, were met with rejection by the Indian government.

Amidst these negotiations, Sajjad Afghani, a central figure in the HuM, was killed while attempting to escape from prison. His associate, Masood Azhar, went on to form Jaish-e-Mohammed, which was involved in multiple terrorist activities, including attacks on the Indian Parliament, the Uri and Pulwama incidents, and the 2008 Mumbai attacks.

The network of terrorist organizations, including their links to Osama bin Laden and the Taliban, and the complexities of the negotiations, shed light on the broader geopolitical context of the time. The text presents a detailed account of the events and connections that contributed to the challenges faced during the IC-814 hijacking and its aftermath.