IC814 On the evening of December 24, 1999, as India prepared to celebrate Christmas and the dawn of a new millennium, an event unfolded that would plunge the nation into one of its most harrowing ordeals. The hijacking of Indian Airlines Flight IC814, which was en route from Kathmandu to New Delhi, would become an eight-day saga that left the entire country anxiously glued to news reports. It was an event of immense national and international significance, and the Press Trust of India (PTI), India’s largest news agency, was at the forefront of covering this historic crisis from the very first moment.
At 6 p.m. on that fateful Friday, the first inkling of the horror to come reached PTI. A lone reporter got wind of something unusual happening aboard IC814. The information was still sketchy, but the news agency quickly flashed out a one-line bulletin that would bring the story to the world: “Indian Airlines plane from Kathmandu to Delhi hijacked.”
This simple yet chilling line marked the beginning of what would become a relentless and intense reporting marathon for PTI, as the hijacking evolved into a high-stakes geopolitical drama involving India, Pakistan, the Taliban-controlled Afghanistan, and the rest of the world. As the entire nation held its breath, PTI’s reporters worked around the clock, gathering updates, confirming details, and delivering the latest news on what would become one of the darkest chapters in India’s modern history.
The Hijacking Unfolds
IC814, carrying 176 passengers and 15 crew members, had taken off from Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu and was expected to land in New Delhi in less than two hours. But just 40 minutes into the flight, five armed hijackers stormed the cockpit, taking control of the Airbus A300. Their demands were as yet unknown, but the hijackers had already begun to terrorize the passengers, threatening their lives and issuing orders to the flight crew.
As the hijacked plane veered off its flight path, the Indian government scrambled to respond. Communication with the flight had been lost, and there was confusion about the aircraft’s exact location. Meanwhile, PTI reporters in New Delhi and across India began reaching out to their sources in the aviation and defense sectors, piecing together the emerging story in real time.
A Race Against Time: PTI’s Reporting Marathon Begins
For PTI, the hijacking of IC814 was a massive story that required mobilizing every available resource. The situation was dynamic, with information trickling in from various government agencies, airport officials, and intelligence sources. PTI’s reporters in New Delhi were immediately in contact with the Ministry of Civil Aviation, while correspondents in other cities, including Mumbai, Dubai, and Amritsar, began monitoring airport activities and checking for any unusual developments.
As the clock ticked on, PTI flashed more details to its subscribers: the hijacked aircraft had initially made an unscheduled stop in Amritsar, where it refueled but did not stay long enough for Indian commandos to launch a rescue operation. From there, the plane headed towards Lahore, Pakistan, before being denied permission to land.
The twists and turns of the aircraft’s journey across South Asia made for a constantly evolving news story. The hijackers, driven by motives that were not yet fully clear, were forcing the plane to hop from one airport to another, each time increasing the risk to the passengers. PTI’s editors and reporters worked in overdrive, making sure to verify every fact before issuing updates, aware of the sensitive nature of the situation and the potential impact on international relations. 
The Plane Lands in Dubai
After being refused landing rights in Pakistan, the hijacked aircraft finally touched down in Dubai on the night of December 24, 1999. This marked a crucial moment in the unfolding drama, as the hijackers allowed 27 hostages to be released, including women and children, in exchange for refueling and medical assistance for a passenger who had been stabbed.
PTI was among the first to report that the plane had landed in Dubai and that negotiations were underway for the release of some passengers. As news of the hostage release broke, there was a brief moment of relief across India, though it was quickly overshadowed by the grim reality that over 150 people remained trapped aboard the aircraft.
In Dubai, PTI’s correspondents were stationed at the airport, providing live updates on the unfolding situation. There was still no clear understanding of the hijackers’ demands, and the Indian government was cautiously considering its options.
PTI’s coverage of the landing in Dubai was detailed and continuous, with reporters filing updates not just for domestic audiences but for the international wire services that relied on the agency’s on-the-ground expertise. The release of hostages was a pivotal moment in the story, and PTI’s handling of the information was critical in shaping public understanding of the crisis.
Kandahar: The IC814 Final Destination
By December 25, IC814 was back in the air, having been refueled in Dubai, and heading for an unknown destination. PTI’s team was ready to track every development, updating the nation on the plane’s whereabouts. It soon became apparent that the hijackers were steering the aircraft towards Kandahar, Afghanistan—then under the control of the Taliban regime.
This shift in location significantly complicated the Indian government’s response. Negotiating with the Taliban, a group that had little regard for international norms, would be a delicate and dangerous task. PTI, with its extensive network of sources in both India and abroad, quickly began to assess the implications of the plane’s arrival in Kandahar. What would the hijackers demand? What role would the Taliban play? And how could India negotiate for the safe release of the hostages without further endangering their lives?
Over the next several days, PTI’s reporters continued to work tirelessly, covering every nuance of the crisis. The hijackers had made their demands clear: they wanted the release of three jailed terrorists, including Maulana Masood Azhar, the founder of the militant group Jaish-e-Mohammed.
The Negotiations Begin
In the following days, the Indian government faced intense pressure to secure the release of the hostages, but the stakes were incredibly high. The decision to negotiate with terrorists had far-reaching consequences, not only for the immediate crisis but for India’s long-term national security. PTI’s coverage reflected the gravity of the situation, providing minute-by-minute updates on the negotiations while offering insights into the internal debates within the Indian government.
As negotiations dragged on, the situation aboard the plane grew increasingly dire. Food and water were running low, and the passengers were suffering from the effects of the prolonged ordeal. PTI reporters continued to gather information from multiple sources, often facing challenges in confirming the details given the secretive nature of the talks.
During this period, the hijacking dominated national headlines, and PTI was at the center of the media landscape, delivering accurate and timely updates to the nation. Every twist in the negotiations was covered, from the Indian government’s decision to consider the hijackers’ demands to the Taliban’s role as a mediator.
The Release of the Hostages
On December 31, 1999, after eight agonizing days, the hijacking of IC814 finally came to an end. In exchange for the release of the three terrorists, the hijackers freed the remaining hostages, bringing the ordeal to a close. The plane’s passengers, many of whom had feared for their lives, were finally allowed to return home.
PTI’s reporters, who had been working around the clock for over a week, were there to cover the emotional return of the hostages. Families who had been anxiously waiting for news of their loved ones were finally reunited, and the nation breathed a collective sigh of relief. But even as the crisis ended, the coverage continued. PTI’s team shifted focus to the fallout from the government’s decision to release the jailed terrorists, examining the political and security implications of the deal.
The Impact of PTI’s Coverage
Throughout the eight-day crisis, PTI played a critical role in keeping the nation informed. The news agency’s extensive network of reporters, its commitment to verifying information before publication, and its ability to provide continuous updates ensured that the public had access to accurate, real-time information during one of the most significant crises in recent Indian history.
PTI’s coverage of the IC814 hijacking was not only a testament to the dedication of its reporters but also an example of the importance of a free and independent press in times of national crisis. The agency’s reporting provided the public with the information they needed while also holding the government accountable for its actions.
A Lasting Legacy
The hijacking of IC814 remains one of the most traumatic events in India’s recent history, and PTI’s coverage of the crisis continues to be remembered for its professionalism and thoroughness. For the reporters and editors involved, it was a challenging and emotionally draining experience, but one that ultimately reinforced the essential role of the media in times of crisis.
As India moved on from the tragedy of IC814, the lessons learned during those eight days—about the importance of accurate reporting, the need for timely information, and the critical role of the media in holding power to account—would continue to shape PTI’s approach to news for years to come.
In the end, the hijacking of IC814 was not just a test of India’s resolve but a defining moment for the country’s media as well. PTI’s coverage of the crisis stands as a reminder of the power of the press in shaping public understanding of events, and the responsibility that comes with that power. ALSO READ:- Tragedy Strikes Again: Five Killed in Fresh Violence in Manipur’s Jiribam 2024