Why Modi Government Must Declassify IC-814 Hijacking Records: Unveiling Hidden Truths

The hijacking of Indian Airlines Flight IC-814 on December 24, 1999, from Kathmandu to Kandahar remains one of India's most harrowing episodes of terror politics. The aircraft was taken over by a group of armed hijackers shortly after takeoff and diverted to Kandahar, Afghanistan, as reported by Hindustan Times.

The subsequent negotiations led to the release of three notorious terrorists in exchange for 176 hostages. Despite the passage of over two decades, the event remains shrouded in mystery and conspiracy, with various key figures offering different versions of what transpired.

Revisiting IC-814: An Incident Revived by Popular Media

Recently, interest in the IC-814 hijacking was reignited by an OTT drama that dramatizes the event. Former Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) chief Amarjit Singh Dulat, and Anand Arni, who was part of the Indian negotiation team in Kandahar, have also spoken to the media, offering fresh perspectives on the case, as reported by Hindustan Times.

Key Players and Negotiation

At the heart of the negotiations was Ajit Doval, now India's National Security Advisor, who was then leading the team from Kandahar. Dulat claims that Doval, under pressure to resolve the situation quickly, was inclined to give in to the hijackers' demands. The hijackers, led by the elder brother of Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar, had initially demanded the release of 105 terrorists. However, the negotiation team was able to reduce this demand to three prisoners-Masood Azhar, Omar Saeed Sheikh, and Mushtaq Ahmed Zargar.

Who Was Involved Behind the Scenes?

The crisis was managed in New Delhi by a team under then National Security Advisor Brajesh Mishra, with input from RAW Chief Amarjit Dulat, IB Chief Shyamal Dutta, and the political leadership of Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Home Minister L. K. Advani. The negotiating team sent to Kandahar comprised of Ajit Doval, IB's Joint Secretary (Pakistan-Afghanistan-Iran) Vivek Katju, and Joint Director (Operations) Nehchal Sandhu, among others, as per media reports.

Although the team in Kandahar was negotiating with the Taliban, the real power lay with the Taliban's leader, Mullah Omar, who was in direct communication with Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). At the time, ISI was led by Lt. Gen. Mahmud Ahmed, who had close ties with Mullah Omar and was later removed from his post for his role in the 9/11 attacks.

The Taliban's Role and Pakistan's Involvement

The Taliban government at the time, while facilitating negotiations, was heavily influenced by the ISI, which is believed to have orchestrated the hijacking. The Taliban's foreign and civil aviation ministers acted as intermediaries, relaying demands and ensuring the hijackers had the upper hand.

The initial demand by the hijackers was for the release of 36 terrorists, including the body of slain Harkat-ul-Ansar terrorist Sajjad Afghani, who had been arrested along with Masood Azhar in 1994. The final deal settled on the release of three terrorists, who were handed over to the hijackers after visual confirmation, as per media reports.

Media Pressure and Government Response

Ajit Doval, having dealt with numerous counter-terrorism operations, was prepared to take a hardline stance and sought more time to negotiate. However, intense public pressure from the families of the hostages, amplified by the media, pushed the Vajpayee government into a corner. With growing political pressure from opposition parties like Congress and the National Conference, the government agreed to the exchange.

The hostages were released before the turn of the millennium, with the rescue aircraft departing Kandahar just before the final sunset of the 20th century. Meanwhile, the released terrorists and hijackers vanished into Pakistan-controlled territory, fueling speculation about the ISI's deep involvement in the crisis.

The Aftermath and Lasting Impacts

Following the return of the hostages, Ajit Doval suggested that the remaining 33 terrorists on the original list should be segregated and closely monitored to prevent further hijackings. While this plan had the approval of Home Minister Advani and IB Chief Shyamal Dutta, it was ultimately vetoed by Brajesh Mishra.

The release of Masood Azhar, in particular, had long-term consequences. Azhar went on to form Jaish-e-Mohammed, which has since been responsible for numerous terrorist attacks in India, including the 2019 Pulwama attack.

Why There Is A Need For Declassification?

Given the differing accounts and the high stakes involved in the IC-814 hijacking, there are growing calls for the declassification of government records from the time. The conflicting narratives from key figures like Dulat and Arni, along with Doval's silence on the issue, have only added to the mystery surrounding the event. Understanding the full scope of the incident is crucial not only for the sake of history but also to learn lessons for future counter-terrorism operations.