24th December, 1999.
An Indian Airlines flight from Kathmandu to Delhi, IC 814
was hijacked suddenly.
But why Kathmandu?
Because Nepal shares a border both with India and China,
and these borders are not difficult to cross.
As a result, Kathmandu has always been a hub for spy agencies.
For Pakistan, America, China and for us.
That's why Kathmandu was chosen for the hijack.
Who was behind the hijack? And why?
These questions needed an answer, and innocent passengers had to be saved.
It was all so complex that the hijack lasted for seven days.
Why did it take seven days?
And what happened during those seven days?
Let's go.
Hashmi Saab!
Hello!
Were you leaving without saying hello?
- I thought you saw me. - No, no!
All well, Ram?
Looking for something?
Pickle.
- Ah! - My wife's gone to Indore.
I need pickle to add to rice, and sometimes rice to add to pickle.
Let me treat you with some Pakistani pickle soon.
You won't forget it!
Sir, Hashmi is personally involved.
ISI has something big in mind.
The 5 men were at a guesthouse last night.
They weren't local guys.
They've been planning something in Kathmandu. They're from Pakistan.
I wired their room.
I'm not going, and neither are you.
This is no ordinary mission.
The plan must be followed.
This is not the time to get emotional.
You aren't emotional because no one close to you is involved.
I'm not asking you, I'm informing you I'm going.
Brother, you don't understand.
You haven't been trained. You could mess things up.
Amjad, this is non-negotiable.
Don't take my name, Chief.
Doctor, my brother is stuck there, and you're jumpy about names.
If I must die, I'll die. But I'll take 150 lives with me.
Didn't you mention Amjad's name in your last cable?
You cc-ed all the agencies.
But no one took any notice.
IB, MEA. No one reacted.
Why? Because your intel isn't concrete, Ram.
It's all your theory.
We arrested their driver yesterday.
Brother! Please.
What did I do, sir?
Interrogate him. It doesn't sound urgent to me.
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 great flight ahead.
This announcement is for flight IC 814.
We will be announcing the boarding shortly.
Once again, we regret the delay.
Boarding in three minutes.
- Everything ready? - Yes, ma'am.
We might run short today.
I'll call my family in Hyderabad.
- Hyderabad? - Yes. They're there.
I wasn't meant to be on this flight.
Can I come too? I need to call my father.
Yes, come.
Chhaya…
Poor visibility ahead. Add four more ton.
We're going on a week's vacation to Sharjah.
I was supposed to be on the Delhi-Hyderabad flight.
So I asked my family to meet me in Hyderabad.
Then they told me I had to fly Kathmandu-Delhi. So I said okay.
Now our flight's been delayed, I must let them know.
Or my daughters will shout at me.
Papa needs a wheelchair. He's undergoing treatment.
The doctor says he'll be okay.
Boarding for IC 814 has commenced.
- Vipul, boarding has started. - Okay.
Passengers are requested to make their way to Gate 2A immediately.
I have to leave at 6:30 p.m., ma'am.
My train's at 9:00 p.m.
Deepali, I understand.
But Papa has to have his medicine at 7:00 p.m.
The flight is departing.
Deepali, please understand. My flight's been delayed.
Boarding pass, sir?
Okay, Deepali.
Sir, Hashmi gave the bag to Dinesh.
He works in air catering.
He's on the Delhi flight now. IC 814.
Hello. Indian Airlines office.
Myself Ram Chandra Yadav from the Indian Embassy.
Connect me to the duty officer.
What is it regarding, sir?
Tell him it's urgent.
Some suspicious people have boarded IC 814.
Sir, where are you calling from?
Tell him it's the Home Ministry.
You just said the Indian Embassy.
Madam! Give him the message. I'm reaching the airport.
Let's go, guys. The passengers are on their way.
Namaskar. Welcome.
- Don't hit your sister again. - Okay.
And if he does, give him a tight slap.
- Yes. - You always say yes.
What time does the connecting flight leave from Delhi?
- This one is already late. - Exactly.
Final boarding announcement for Indian Airlines flight IC 814.
Well? Why isn't Hashmi here?
He'll come.
- Excuse me? - Yes?
Yes, go ahead.
Here's your seat.
Be comfortable.
- Excuse me. - Sorry.
May I have the bag?
- Water, please. - Yes, I will get you water.
- What's this? - Window or aisle?
- Pick. Quickly. - Okay. This one.
- Aisle. The window's mine. - This is not fair.
You chose it.
Take this.
Where is 18-A?
Straight ahead, sir.
- May I put this in the overhead locker? - Okay.
Hurry up, son.
- Hurry. - We're trying.
It's been four years, son,
since this room has been empty.
Either you bring him back home,
or sacrifice your life trying.
INDIAN AIRLINES
Thank you.
Welcome, sir!
Welcome on board!
- I didn't leave him. - No?
He left me.
He said, "Ma won't let me marry an air hostess."
What? What did you say?
I said, "Do you ask her before taking your pants off?"
- Chhaya! - I gave him a tight slap.
- That did it. - You slapped him?
- Can I get some water, please? - Yes.
Here.
Thank you.
I think he overheard you.
Don't know. Maybe he did.
- He's cute. - Cute.
Okay, I'm going.
Come, sit.
Sit there.
Good boy.
Son, could you…
All done.
Boarding complete.
- Spoilers armed? - Armed.
- Flight controls? - Checked.
- NI Computer? - Set.
We won't land in Hyderabad before 11:00.
I have a 7:00 a.m. flight.
And mine is at 6:00 a.m. Delhi to Amritsar.
Amritsar, again?
Yes.
- You'll binge on kulchas? - Of course.
You'll burst open one day!
IC 814. Clear to taxi. Continue on Taxiway Tango.
Kathmandu Tower. Clear to taxi. Continuing on Taxiway Tango. IC 814.
Monitor tower 113.4. Hold short of Runway 2.
Attention, please.
We shall now be demonstrating the safety instructions.
Attention, please.
Sir, the flight's already late. I can't delay it any further.
I'm calling from the Home Ministry.
Sir, I don't doubt you.
But we have not received any official confirmation.
Let it go.
Can I take it back? Thank you.
Good evening and welcome to Indian Airlines flight IC 814.
Your right hand.
This is your first officer, Sunil Sachdeva.
Thank you.
I am joined in the cockpit by Captain Sharan Dev
- 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.
Kathmandu Tower, this is IC 814. Holding short of Runway 02.
Wind 210 at 3.
Caution wake turbulence. Clear for take-off.
You don't understand.
It's a matter of life and death for the passengers.
Please. I cannot stop the flight.
Okay.
Good evening, this is your Captain speaking.
Sorry for the delayed departure.
We're cruising at 30,000 feet.
We hope to cover the distance to Delhi in 1 hour, 55 minutes.
If you look outside, to your right,
you can see the Himalayan mountain ranges.
They look beautiful in the evening light.
Enjoy the view and the flight.
Sir, what would you like to have? Nothing?
Sir, anything for you?
Anything to eat? Coffee?
- Yes, sir? Sure. - Can I get some warm water, please?
I'm sorry, whisky is not available. Beer is okay?
Ma'am, you?
Here's the beer for you. Anything to eat?
Your beer, sir.
Can I have some chilled beer?
- Thanda. Chilled. - Sure, sir.
Is it okay if you could use the washroom at the back, please?
No, Chhaya. Right?
I'm going to my friend.
One second.
Yes!
- Thanks, Chhaya. Nice name. - Yeah.
Chief, I'll knock.
I'm ready.
Give Sunil something to eat. He's hungry.
- It's late. - I'll get something, sir.
What, sir?
Sure, sir. I'll get it.
Thank you.
What's going on?
This plane has been hijacked. Hands up!
Fly west.
Don't try to act smart, or I'll blow this up.
No tricks.
This is a hijack!
I repeat. This is a hijack!
Windows down! Windows down, everyone.
Be quiet.
The plane has been hijacked.
No one move!
Pull the window shades down.
Do as you are told. Get it?
Or we'll kill the passengers, one by one.
- Want to see their corpses? - We'll do as you say.
Please don't hurt the passengers.
Move again and I'll cut you.
Heads down, shades down!
Indrani!
What are you doing?
We need clearance. We must inform ATC where we're going.
Kabul. We're going to Kabul.
- Pull that down. - Shades down!
Shades down!
It's a hijack!
I told you to sit.
Calm down.
We don't have enough fuel to get to Kabul.
We're going to Kabul! So don't overuse your brain cells.
Heads down.
Heads down!
Look! I'm checking. I'm doing as you asked.
Please, give me a second.
Please. Let me check.
One minute. Kabul…
- What the hell are you doing? - Distance.
Setting the distance.
- No tricks. Get it? - Yes.
We're flying to Kabul!
Burger, what's he saying?
He says there's not enough fuel. We'll have to land midway.
Chief, step aside.
What's the alternate landing location?
- What? - What, what!
Every flight has an alternate landing location. What's yours?
It's…
Who relayed 7500?
He did. I saw him do it.
Captain, turn on the speakers.
All radio communications will be on the speakers from now on.
Okay.
IC 814. Varanasi ATC. Do you copy?
Confirm squawking 7500.
IC 814. Varanasi ATC. Do you copy?
Confirm squawking 7500.
IC 814 has been hijacked.
Go, tell whoever you want to.
IC 814 has been hijacked. We're flying to Kabul.
At 4:42 p.m. 7500 squawked.
When I tried to confirm, there was no reply, sir.
Seven minutes later, at 4:49 p.m.,
we received a radio message that IC 814 is hijacked.
They're heading to Kabul.
Awdhesh. Come here. Hurry!
- Call Delhi ATC. - Okay.
The flight is heading to Delhi, right? They'll deal with it.
Keep your windows down.
And keep your heads down.
We have nothing personal against you,
so we do not wish to hurt you.
We're here on a mission.
And we will fulfil it.
If anyone tries to get in our way,
they'll pay a high price.
Understand?
Heads down.
- Nandini, your phone been ringing. - It's the opinion piece?
Want me to change my opinion?
Don't change it, Nandini. Soften it.
Trilok ji, this is a newspaper, not a cake that I can soften.
Nandini, we must finalize the page.
It'll take an hour. Manage for now.
Hello! Yes, Awdhesh, tell me how's Uncle.
Fuck!
More Christmas stories?
The century's last Christmas! A page is a must.
Okay. Yeah. Bye!
Althea.
- Where's Shalini? - Upstairs.
- TV? - Yes.
Damn TV channel, on top of everything.
- Where's Shalini? - In the studio.
Tell her to be more aggressive. She's sweet like Doordarshan.
If you're done flirting with TV, can we talk about your ex-love, Shalini?
The news.
What is it? Need to soften your opinion piece?
No. Headline. Tomorrow.
Sunder Lal ji, there's no conflict between RAW and IB.
Sir.
The Kargil war was a big deal. So many soldiers died.
RAW and IB have been reporting to the PMO. Right?
Call it an enquiry or a commission, but it's hardly newsworthy.
Write about Y2K.
All the computers will stop working soon. So how will we play Pac-Man?
Uncle? Did you hear about IC 814?
About what?
Indian Airlines flight.
Kathmandu to Delhi, IC 814 has been hijacked.
Really?
I'm in the office.
My niece.
It stays between us.
Okay?
Strictly between us.
I'll check with the Home Ministry.
Then we'll decide. Okay?
He seems to be with people.
Some hijacks have been insignificant.
Remember when they demanded a university name change?
- This is not feeling good. - Why?
Kathmandu is not good news.
Give me a little time.
- The boss in? - Yes, sir.
Eight hours a day are wasted signing enquiry papers.
How will the agency function?
What?
Don't give me more bad news.
Boss, an Indian Airlines plane has been hijacked.
IC 814. Kathmandu-Delhi.
They're flying to Kabul.
How many passengers on board? Any demands?
176 passengers. No demands yet.
Does IB know? Inform Mukul immediately.
Get the message to him today.
Give my salaams to our brother. Tell him we have not forgotten him.
Jammu.
The call was from Islamabad.
Whose voice is that?
A cleaner at the Kot Bhalwal Jail in Jammu.
You think the message is about the hijack?
It's possible, sir. Sure.
Such people should not be arrested.
Catch them, shoot them. End of story.
Cut off the snake's head. No more snake charmers, or damn hijacks.
- Any demands? - Too soon, sir!
If they get to Kabul, it'll be a problem.
But if it lands here, it'll be IB's headache.
IB didn't do this, IB didn't do that.
But, sir, tell me something.
What was RAW doing in Kathmandu?
Ram cabled from Kathmandu:
"High alert. ISI active."
"Suspected Pakistani terrorists on board IC 814."
- When did you receive it? - Sir, an hour ago.
An hour ago? And I see it now?
Where's Chauhan?
Get Chauhan on a call right now.
Sir, no one is answering the secure line in Kathmandu.
Call Ram.
We don't have permission to cross Indian airspace.
I cannot cross without permission.
Captain, it's simple.
I'll shoot you and fly your aircraft anywhere I feel like.
We don't need any permission to cross any territory.
Oh, my God!
Chhaya…
I gotta go.
Indrani, calm down!
Everything will be all right.
Chhaya… she is hurt.
- Don't you worry. - I must go.
Just stay put. I'll check on her.
Why? Who are you people?
You cannot hurt my passengers!
Indrani, keep your voice down.
We can hurt anyone we want.
Drink some water.
Calm down.
Let me see. Let's see where you're hurt.
Easy. Slowly. Come on.
That's it. You all right?
Let me see. It's okay.
It's okay. Let's see.
A minor cut.
Indrani, get me an aftershave or something.
Now remember.
No more getting in our way.
We're here on a mission.
And we will fulfil it.
If you get in our way again,
we will kill you, Chhaya.
And if you don't,
then you're a friend.
From now on looking after the passengers
are both your responsibilities.
And you must make sure no one acts smart.
Look after her.
Are you okay?
Sir. He's calling you, sir.
Where is DRS?
Two minutes, sir. He's on a call. It's urgent.
- Did you tell him I want him? - Of course, sir. Let me check again.
Kashmir?
Jammu?
Sir… Please, sir… Sorry, sir.
- This is your Captain-- - What are you telling the tower?
I'm not talking to the tower.
I'm talking to my passengers.
- No, you can't. - I must keep them informed.
Don't act smart, or I'll shoot you.
Informing the passengers is my responsibility.
And I will do it.
This is your Captain speaking.
I regret to inform you the plane has been hijacked.
I request you to cooperate fully with them.
Do as they say.
And trust me,
I'm doing my utmost to get us all home as soon as possible. Thank you.
Maulana Allah Bakhsh. Bahawalpur, Pakistan.
He runs a lot of madrasas across Pakistan.
Recruits youngsters from across the world,
raises funds for his terror acts.
One of his five sons is incarcerated in Kot Bhalwal Jail in Jammu
- for the last five years. - Masood?
Masood was popular in the world of Islamic Jihad.
His speeches inspired others around the world to join the Jihad.
When arriving illegally in India
to broker peace between two Kashmiri terrorist groups,
he was arrested.
Three unsuccessful attempts were made to free Masood.
In one attempt, his close friend Sajjad Afghani was killed.
This was perhaps the fourth attempt.
Obviously! Shift him to a high security cell.
Feared militant, most important preacher…
Exported Jihad to the UK in 1993.
In the past five years,
three failed attempts to escape.
Come to TV.
I will bring you back to print.
Heads down.
Look down! Head down!
- I'm in pain. - I said head down!
If we want to land in Delhi, we must descend now.
- Or Delhi won't be an option. - Don't try teaching him to fly.
He knows his job. Understand?
We fly planes every day, Chief.
Flight simulators and flying for real isn't the same thing.
Burger Saab, we really are low on fuel. Check for yourself.
One minute.
We won't make it to Kabul.
We can only fly a bit ahead of Delhi. Maximum.