24th December, 1999… Indian Airlines flight IC 814,
from Delhi to Kathmandu, was suddenly hijacked.
The very first question was, why Kathmandu?
Nepal shares a border with both, India and China.
And it's not too difficult to slip across these borders.
As a result, Kathmandu has been a hot spot for spy
agencies for years. For Pakistan, America, China, and us.
This was the reason Kathmandu was chosen for the hijacking.
Who was behind the hijacking? And why?
These questions needed answering while innocent passengers needed saving.
It was all so complicated that it took seven days to resolve.
What happened in those seven days? Why did it take that long?
Let's go.
Hello, Hashmi Saab! Aadaab!
I thought you saw me. Were you trying to avoid me?
No, not at all!
Good to see you, Ram Miyan.
Are you looking for something?
Pickle.
Ah!
Actually, my wife has gone to Indore. And the food I cook is so bland,
I can't eat it without pickle.
I'll get you some pickle, Miyan. Pakistan special.
You won't forget it.
Sir, Hashmi's personally handling everything.
The ISI is planning something big.
They were gathered at a guest house last night.
They're not locals, they're Pakistanis.
The five of them have been in Kathmandu for 10 days planning something.
I had placed a bug in their room.
Look, I'm not going and neither are you. This is no ordinary mission.
Everything has to be done according to plan.
This is not the time to get emotional.
You're not getting emotional because your loved one isn't trapped over there.
Now look, I… I'm not asking you,
I'm telling you that I am
going on this mission.
Arre Bhaijaan, why don't you understand? You haven't had any training!
You could mess up everything we've planned!
- Amjad Miyan, this is not up for debate. - Hey, don't mention any names, Chief.
Doctor, my brother is trapped over there and you're worrying about names? Look,
if I have to die, that's fine.
But I'll take a hundred
and fifty people with me.
You mentioned Amjad's name in the last cable, right?
And sent a CC to all the agencies too?
But nobody paid attention to it. IB, MEA, no one responded to you. Why?
Because this isn't concrete, Ram. They're all just theories.
We picked up the local who was driving them around.
I'll show you, bloody motherfucker!
Interrogate him. It doesn't seem urgent.
Namaskar. This announcement is for Flight IC 814.
We are pleased to announce the arrival of the flight from Delhi.
We will be announcing the boarding shortly.
Once again, we regret the delay and wish you a blessed flight ahead.
This announcement is for Flight IC 814.
We will be announcing the boarding shortly. Once again, we regret the delay
- and wish you a blessed flight ahead. - Here, have some.
- Boarding in three minutes. - Has Rajesh arranged
the magazines in Economy?
- Yes, ma'am. - Keep some here. Just check that section.
I think we might run short today.
I'll just go and make a call to my family in Hyderabad.
Hyderabad?
Yeah, my family is in Hyderabad. I wasn't even supposed to be on this flight.
Put them here.
May I come with you? I need to call my father.
Yeah, yeah, come.
- Chhaya… - Hmm-hmm.
Poor visibility ahead.
Add four more tons.
- Hurry up, hurry up. - We're going to Sharjah.
- On holiday for a week. - Oh!
First… It was a Delhi-Hyderabad flight so I called my family to Hyderabad.
Then they called and said "Do Delhi-Kathmandu-Delhi" So I agreed.
Now the flight's been delayed. So I have to inform them… otherwise, my daughters
- will kill me. - Yeah.
Papa is in a wheelchair. He's undergoing rehab.
The doctor says he's going to be okay.
- Shubu… - Boarding for Flight IC 814 has started.
Passengers are requested to proceed towards Boarding Gate 2A immediately.
Vipul, Boarding started.
I have to leave at 6:30 pm, Didi. My train is at 9 o'clock.
Deepali, I understand. But you know Papa needs to take his medicine at 7, right?
It's time for your flight.
Namaste, ma'am.
Deepali, please try to understand. My flight's been delayed.
Boarding pass, Sir?
Thank you, Sir.
First…
Okay, Deepali.
Meanwhile, the Chief Minister of Andra Pradesh,
Chandrababu Naidu has started training his ministers and policy-making and
methods of better governance and parliament
legislatures of the ruling party…
Sir, Dinesh got the bag from Hashmi. He works for the airline catering service.
He is on our Delhi flight today sir… IC 814.
Hello, Indian Airlines office.
This is Ram Chandra Yadav from the Indian Embassy.
Connect me to the Duty Officer.
What is this regarding, sir?
Just tell him it's urgent. There are some suspicious people on IC 814.
Where are you calling from, sir?
Tell him it's a call from the Home Ministry.
- But you just said the Indian Embassy. - Madam! I'm on the way there.
Just convey my message to him.
Let's go, guys. The passenger shuttle is on the way.
Namaskar, Sorry for the delay. Welcome aboard ma'am.
You will not raise your hand on her again.
Okay.
Hmm… If he misbehaves again. Give him one tight slap.
Okay.
You're useless.
Final boarding announcement for Indian Airlines flight IC 814.
Please proceed to boarding gate 2A immediately.
What happened? Where the hell is Hashmi?
This is the final call for boarding Flight IC 814.
He'll be here.
Hello, brother.
Hello, Ashmita. How are you?
I'm doing fine. How are you?
How is mummy doing?
Mummy's fine too.
- Excuse me? - Last time…
Huh?
Yeah, yeah. Go, go.
Here's your seat.
Get comfortable.
- Excuse me… - Ahh, yeah… Sorry.
Uh, my bag please. Uh, ya I'll put it away for you.
- Water, please? - Yeah, sure I'll just get you some.
- What's this? - Window or aisle?
- Uh… - Pick, pick, pick… Quickly.
Okay, this one.
Aisle. The window's mine.
Hey, that's not fair, come on.
- You chose it. Come on. - Hold this.
Can you tell me where is 18-A?
- Uh, it's straight ahead, Sir. - May I put that away for you sir?
Okay.
- Come on, beta… come on. We are late. - Thank you.
It's been four years, beta.
This room has been empty.
I don't care how you do it.
Either bring him back to me… or give up your life trying.
Thank you.
Welcome sir.
- Welcome aboard, sir. Welcome. - I left him?
- Namaskar. Ma'am. - You didn't?
No, he left me.
Welcome ma'am.
- He said, - "Mom won't let me marry an air hostess."
Namaskar. Welcome sir.
- Welcome aboard. - What? What did you say?
I said, "Did you ask your mom before you took your pants off?"
- Chhaya! - And then I slapped him across his face
real hard… Right there at the coffee shop.
- You really slapped him? - Yeah.
- Can I get some water, please? - Uh… Yes.
Uh… here.
Thank you.
Hi.
Do you think he heard what you said?
I don't know… it's quite possible he did. Uh… he's cute.
Hmm…
Cute?
Okay, I'm off.
Could you help me with these bags?
Uh, yes.
Okay, thank you.
Can I take it for you?
Oh no, no, that's alright, yaar.
Nitu, why have you gone there?
Come on come on come on.
- This seat is empty, come here. - Come, come, sit sit.
Yeah, I'm coming, I'm coming.
Sit down, sit down.
- Good boy. - Beta, could you… Uh…
- There you go, ma'am. - Thank you so much.
Where you headed?
Alright, whichever is better.
Yes, for almost two hours.
Boarding complete?
Yeah.
Spoilers armed?
Armed.
Flight controls?
Checked.
NI Computer?
Set.
Man, it'll be at least 11 p.m. by the time I reach Hyderabad.
We have a 7 a.m., flight to Sharjah.
And I have a 6 a.m. flight, Delhi - Amritsar.
You're going to Amritsar, again?
Yes!
- Kulchas all day? - Of course!
You're stomach's gonna burst one day.
IC 814, clear to taxi. Continue on Taxiway Tango.
Kathmandu Tower, clear to taxi. Continuing on Taxiway Tango. IC 814.
Monitor tower One-one-three decimal four. Hold short of Runway Zero-two.
Ladies and gentlemen your attention, please.
Our cabin crew will now demonstrate the safety instructions. Please direct…
Sir, the flight's already delayed. It's on the runway. I can't delay it any
- further. - I'm calling from the Home Ministry.
Sir, you may be calling from the Home Ministry,
but we haven't received any official confirmation so far.
Let it go.
Can I take it back? Thank you.
Good evening and welcome to Indian Airlines Flight IC 814.
Give me your right hand.
This is your first officer Sunil Sachdeva.
Thank you. I am joined in the cockpit by Captain Sharan Dev
- Hi! - and flight engineer Rajendra Nangia.
- You like it? - We apologize for the delayed
departure and appreciate your patience.
Thank you for choosing to fly with Indian Airlines.
Aww!
Kathmandu Tower, this is IC 814. Holding short of runway two.
Wind, two-one-zero at three.
Caution wake turbulence. Clear for take-off.
- Look, you don't understand. - We cannot stop a flight just like that.
It's a matter of life and death for the passengers!
Sir, I understand. But, please, I cannot stop the flight.
Okay.
Good evening, this is your Captain speaking.
Sorry for the delayed departure. We are cruising at 30,000 feet.
We will cover the distance to Delhi in 1 hour,
55 minutes. If you, ah, look outside, to the right,
you can see the Himalayan mountain range.
Uh, they look incredibly beautiful in the evening light.
So enjoy the view and the flight.
Yes, beta? Come here.
Sir, what would you like to have? Nothing?
Nothing, thank you.
Sir, anything for you?
- Anything to eat? - Coffee?
Uh…
Yes, Sir?
- Can I get some warm water, please? - Yes, sure, sure.
- I'm sorry, whisky is not available. - Uh… is beer okay? Ya.
- That's fine. - Okay.
- Ma'am, you? - Coffee.
Here's your beer. Anything to eat?
Your beer, sir.
Can I have some chilled… beer?
- A little cold, yeah. - Sure, sir. Sure.
Umm…
If you don't mind could use the washroom at the back, please?
No. Uh… Chhaya, right?
Yeah.
I'm going to my friend.
- Okay, sir? - Oh… uh… one second.
Hmm.
- Tea, coffee, juice? - One second.
Umm… No. Just some warm water please.
- Yes! - Thanks, Chhaya. Nice name.
Yeah.
Cookies?
Chief Saab… I'll knock four times.
I'll be ready.
Hey, Arun get Sunil something to eat, he's starving. It's been too long.
Ya, I'll get something, sir.
What, sir?
Don't worry, I'll get something good.
Thank you.
Hey, who are you? Who are you people? What's going on? What's going on?
This plane has been hijacked. Put your hands up!
Take the plane to the west.
Don't try to do anything clever. Or… Or… I'll blow everyone up with this grenade.
Don't try to be a hero.
This is a hijack! I repeat, this is a hijack!
Windows shades down! Shades down, everyone!
- Be quiet! - This plane has been hijacked!
No one gets up from their seat.
Everyone pull the window shades down. Right now!
Do exactly as you're told, understood?
Or we'll start killing all the passengers one-by-one,
do you want to see dead bodies?
All your instructions will be followed. But please don't hurt the passengers.
- If you move again, I'll slit your throat. - Come on!
- Heads down, window shades down. - What are you doing?
Move.
- Oye! - Indrani! Indra…
Sit down.
Wha! What are you doing?
- Window shades down! - Hey! Ma'am?
We have to get clearance. We have to tell ATC where we're headed.
Kabul… We're taking it to Kabul!
- Pull the shades down. - Pull the shades down…
Pull the shades down!
I said window shades down.
Shades down!
Windows down!
- It's a hijack, we've been hijacked. - I told you to sit down!
Don't hit him!
- Window shades down! - Calm down… Calm down.
Sir, we don't have enough fuel to get us to Kabul.
We are going to Kabul… You are taking us there… Don't start making excuses, okay?
Ya, ya give one minute, please… please… Yeah please, yeah…
Keep your heads down.
Heads down.
Oye… Oye, you over there, put your head down.
Heads down.
I'm checking, I'm checking. Please, please, I'm doing exactly what you told me
- to. - Check quickly, hurry up. Yeah.
Please, one minute, wait a second, please… Just let me check.
One minute, please, Kabul… Distance.
What are you doing?
Distance.
Huh?
Distance.
I don't want any tricks from you. Am I clear?
Yes.
We're going to Kabul.
Burger, what does he mean? That… there's not enough fuel on the plane.
And we'll have to land midway somewhere.
Chief saab, step aside.
What's the alternate landing location?
What?
What do you mean, "What"?
Every flight has an alternate landing location. What's yours?
Umm…
Who the hell relayed seven-five-zero-zero?
He did… He did.
I saw him, he did it.
Captain… turn the speakers on.
Now all radio communication will be over the speakers.
Okay.
IC 814, Varanasi ATC. Do you copy?
Confirm squawking seven-five-zero-zero.
IC 814, Varanasi ATC. Do you copy?
Confirm squawking seven-five-zero-zero.
IC 814 has been hijacked… Go and tell whoever you need to.
IC 814 is been hijacked.
We taking it to Kabul.
Sir at 4:42, there was a 7500 squawk.
I tried to confirm it but there was no reply,
sir. But Seven minutes later, at 4:49…
we got a radio message saying
that IC 814 was hijacked.
- They're flying to Kabul, sir. - Requesting permission
for Flight eight-two-zero.
RA five-seven-four.
Awdhesh! Come here. Quickly.
Call the Delhi ATC.
Okay.
Flight was headed to Delhi, right? Let them handle it.
Hmm.
Keep your window shades down.
And keep your heads down.
We have nothing personal against you.
And we have no interest in hurting you in any way.
We're here to carry out a mission. And we're going to complete it.
Whoever gets in our way… will pay a very heavy price for it.
Understood?
Heads down!
Nandini ma'am, your phone's been ringing non-stop.
It's an opinion piece. What should I do, change my opinion?
You don't need to change it, Nandini. Just soften it a little.
Trilok ji, this is a newspaper, it's not a cake that I can just soften it a little.
Hey Nandini, we have to finalize the page.
Yeah, yeah, it will take an hour. I'm telling you now, just manage somehow.
Hello? Yeah, Awdhesh, tell me. How's Uncle?
Fuck!
How many more Christmas stories?
It's the last Christmas of the century. We have to do one more page.
Okay. Okay. Yeah. Bye.
Althea.
- Yeah. - Althea. Where's Shalini?
Upstairs.
- TV? - Yeah.
Fuck! This bloody TV news on top of everything.
Where's Shalini?
In the studio.
Please tell her to be more aggressive. She's sweet like Doordarshan.
If you're done flirting with TV, can we talk about your ex, Shalini?
The news?
What happened? Problem with your opinion piece?
No. Headline! Tomorrow.
Sunderlal ji, there's no conflict between RAW and IB.
Sir?
We had such a big war in Kargil. We lost so many men there.
We're submitting a collective report to the PMO. RAW and IB. Right?
Call it an inquiry or a commission, it's not newsworthy.
You should write about Y2K.
When computers shut down in two weeks, how will we play Pac-Man in the office?
Uncle?
Did you hear about IC 814?
About what?
Indian Airlines flight… Kathmandu to Delhi, IC 814, has been hijacked.
Really?
I'm at the office, beta.
It's my niece.
This stays between us, dear. Hmm? Okay?
Strictly between us.
I'll call the Home Ministry and check on it.
Then we'll decide what to do… Okay?
I don't think he was alone.
Some hijacking's happen for no reason, right?
Wasn't there a hijacking once? To change a university's name?
This is not feeling good.
Why?
Kathmandu is not good news.
Just give me some time.
- Is the boss in? - Yes, Sir.
- Add file number 76 to the… - I waste eight hours every
day signing inquiry papers.
Doesn't the agency have other work to do?
What?
Don't give me more bad news.
Boss, an Indian Airlines plane has been hijacked.
IC 814, Kathmandu-Delhi.
They're going to Kabul.
How many passengers? Demands?
176. No demands yet, sir.
Have you told the IB?
Inform Mukul immediately.
You have to make sure he gets the message today, Miyan. Give my regards to Bhaijaan.
And tell him, we haven't forgotten him.
Jammu. This call came from Islamabad today.
Do we know whose voice this is?
He's a cleaner working in Jammu's Kot Bhalwal Jail.
Do you think he could be connected with the hijacking?
It's possible, sir. It's quite possible.
Sir, these bloody insurgents should never be arrested.
Catch them, kill them, end of story.
Cut it at the root, nip it in the bud. Then what the hell will they hijack?
- Any demands? - No, not yet, sir.
If they get to Kabul it'll be a problem.
Sir, if they land in India, it'll be blamed on the IB.
"IB didn't do this, IB didn't do that." But sir…
tell me something…
Was RAW… sleeping in Kathmandu?
Sir, Ram sent a cable from Kathmandu.
Sir, "High alert. ISI active."
"Suspected Pakistani terrorists on board IC 814."
When did it come in?
Sir, an hour ago.
An hour ago and it wasn't sent to me?
Where's Chauhan?
Get Chauhan on a call right now.
Sir, no one is answering the Kathmandu secure line.
Then get Ram on the phone.
Indian airspace ca… can't be crossed without permission. I…
I can't do this without getting permission from them.
Captain Sahab… it's like this…
I can just shoot you and take your aircraft
wherever the hell I want… Hmm?
We don't need anyone's permission to cross any territory.
Oh, my God!
Chhaya… I have to go to her.
- No… no… please. - Indrani… calm down!
Everything will be all right.
- Chh… Chh… Chhaya… she's injured. - Don't worry.
I have to go…
You… sit right here. I'll go check on her.
Why? Who the hell are all of you?
You can't hurt my passengers like this, okay?
Shh…
Indrani ji, lower your voice. We can hurt anyone we want.
Drink some water.
Calm down.
Let me see.
Relax, let me see. Easy, easy, come on, come on. Sit up.
That's it, that's it.
Are you okay?
Let me see. It's okay.
It's okay. Let me see.
It's a little nick.
Indrani ji… get some aftershave or something.
Chhaya…
Now please remember… Do not try to get in our way… Ever again.
We're here on a mission. And we are going to complete it.
If you get in our way again…
we will kill you, Chhaya.
And if you don't… then you're our friend.
From now on, the responsibility of taking care of
the passengers is on both of you. And also…
make sure that they don't
try anything clever.
Take care of her.
Are you okay? Are you okay?
Come on.
Sir? He's calling you, sir.
Yes, yes… Did you see him?
No?
How did you find out?
Where the hell is DRS?
Sir, just two minutes. He's on a call, sir. It's urgent. He can't…
- Did you tell him that I want to see him? - Of course, I told him,
sir. Let me check again, sir.
In Kashmir?
Jammu?
Okay… Since how long?
Yes, yes, I'm still on the line.
Yes, yes, keep talking. I see.
Yes.
Sir, sir… sir… Sorry, sir… Please.
Keep an eye out. I'll call again.
- This is your Captain-- - Hey! What are you telling the tower?
No, not the tower. Not them.
- I need to talk to the passengers again. - You can't talk to them!
I have to tell them, right?
Don't act too smart or I'll shoot you.
Look, it's my duty to inform the passengers. And I'm going to do it.
This is your Captain speaking.
I regret to inform you that this plane has been hijacked.
I request all of you… to cooperate with them completely.
Do everything they say.
And trust me when I say…
that I'm doing everything I possibly can to get us home safely.
Thank you.
Maulana Allah Baksh. Bahawalpur, Pakistan.
He runs a lot of madrasas across Pakistan.
Ah, recruits youngsters from across the world,
raises funds for his terror acts.
One of his five sons has been held in Kot Bhalwal Jail in Jammu…
for the past five years.
Masood?
Masood was a highly regarded name in the world of Islamic Jihad.
His speeches inspired people from all over the world to join the Jihad movement.
He entered India illegally to make peace between two Kashmiri terrorist groups,
and got arrested.
They had already been three unsuccessful attempts to free Masood.
During one attempt, his close friend Sajjad Afghani was killed.
This was perhaps the fourth attempt.
Obviously. Transfer him to a high-security cell now.
Under the shadow of the sword,
our Master of Madina has shown us the way to paradise.
My brethren, he has shown us the way to paradise.
Paradise lies under the shadow of swords.
And, under the shadow of Kalashnikovs,
and under the shadow of cannons. He searched, but he could not find it.
He swooped like an eagle,
Feared militant… most important preacher…
Exported Jihad to the UK in 1993…
In the last five years there've been…
three failed attempts to escape.
Well, he would apply honey on his cut fingers…
Come to TV.
I will bring you back to print.
Their dogs are more good-looking than you.
They may be someone else, the one who loves white people.
We do not even deign to spit on the faces of white people.
The white man whose heart holds apostasy,
the white man whose heart holds hatred for Islam
By the Lord of the Kaaba, we regard him as filthier than even swine.
Head down.
- Head down! - But it hurts.
I said, head down.
If we want to land in Delhi we have to descend now, or returning to delhi won't
- be possible. - He doesn't need any advice from you.
He knows how to do his job, don't worry.
We fly these planes every day, Chief.
There's a difference between what you learn
in a simulator and what happens in the sky.
Burger Saab, we're very low on fuel. You… You can check yourself.
Give me a minute.
We're not going to reach Kabul. Maybe a little past Delhi. At the most.