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The 1999 hijacking of Indian Airlines flight IC-814, which saw the release of three terrorists in exchange for hostages, continues to haunt India's security landscape. This incident, shrouded in conspiracy theories and political maneuvering, has recently resurfaced in the public discourse thanks to a fictional drama series aired on an OTT platform. The series, aptly named after the flight, has reignited debate surrounding the event, with former RAW chief Amarjit Singh Dulat and his colleague Anand Arni, both part of the negotiation team, sharing their perspectives on the transpired events.
Dulat's account suggests that Ajit Doval, then lead negotiator and now National Security Advisor, was under pressure to quickly resolve the situation and accede to the hijackers' demands. Arni provides a detailed account of the negotiation process, highlighting the initial demand for the release of 105 terrorists, which was ultimately reduced to the release of three individuals: Masood Azhar, Omar Saeed Sheikh, and Mushtaq Ahmed Zargar. He also mentions that the negotiating team interacted with the released terrorists before their departure with the hijackers.
The article underscores the need for transparency and accountability by calling on the Modi government to declassify records pertaining to the IC-814 hijacking. This call is especially pertinent considering the contrasting narratives presented by Dulat and Arni, who have differing views on the negotiation process and the actions of key figures, particularly Doval. The author, who covered the hijacking for the Hindustan Times, provides his own insights based on conversations with then-NSA Brajesh Mishra, revealing previously undisclosed details about the situation in Kandahar and the negotiation dynamics.
The author further highlights the lack of direct contact between the negotiating team and the hijackers, emphasizing that negotiations were primarily conducted with Taliban officials. The article also delves into the initial demand for the release of 36 terrorists and the subsequent reduction to three, emphasizing that Doval advocated for a more extended negotiation period, but was ultimately overruled by Mishra due to the pressure from the families of hostages, political figures, and the media. The author also discusses Doval's proposal to segregate the remaining 33 terrorists to prevent further hijackings, a proposal that was rejected, raising further questions about the decision-making processes involved.
The IC-814 hijacking remains a controversial event, with lingering questions about the role of Pakistan's intelligence agency (ISI) and the potential for similar incidents in the future. The call for declassification of records by the Modi government represents a crucial step towards achieving transparency and understanding the full extent of the event and its implications. This act could provide valuable insights into the complex political, security, and diplomatic considerations that shaped the negotiation process and ultimately led to the release of the terrorists. It could also shed light on the internal dynamics within the Indian government during a critical moment in the country's history.
Source: Why the Modi government should declassify records on IC-814 hijacking