Over the next seven days, the Indian government engaged in tense negotiations with the hijackers, who were demanding the release of the three prisoners. The negotiations were complicated by the fact that the hijackers were holding several passengers hostage, including a number of high-profile Indians.
In the end, the hijacking of IC 814 was a sobering reminder of the threat posed by terrorism to global security, and it led to a significant increase in aviation security measures in India and around the world.
The hijacking of IC 814 was a dramatic and intense ordeal that lasted for seven days, captivating the attention of the world. The incident was marked by tense negotiations between the Indian government and the hijackers, as well as a botched rescue attempt that ultimately led to the release of several passengers.
The Indian government eventually agreed to release the three prisoners, including Masood Azhar, in exchange for the safe release of the passengers and crew. The release of Azhar, who was later implicated in a series of terrorist attacks in India, was widely criticized by many in India and abroad.
The pilot, Captain Devi Shankar, complied with the hijackers’ demands, and the plane was diverted to Kandahar International Airport. The airport, which was then under the control of the Taliban, was a strategic location for the hijackers, as it provided them with a safe haven and access to potential supporters.