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External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, in a poignant personal anecdote, revealed that his father was a passenger on a hijacked flight in 1984. Speaking at a community event in Geneva, Jaishankar reflected on his unique dual perspective during the crisis - both as a young officer involved in the negotiations and as a concerned family member. This experience sheds light on the complexities of handling such situations and the personal sacrifices made by individuals involved in crisis management.
Jaishankar's revelation came in response to a query about the Netflix series IC814: The Kandahar Hijack, which dramatizes the 1999 hijacking of Indian Airlines Flight IC814. While he acknowledged not having watched the series, he noted that it portrays the bureaucratic response to hijackings in a negative light. In contrast, he shared his own experience as a young officer in 1984, when he was part of the team handling the hijacking crisis. He recalled a tense phone call to his mother, informing her that he wouldn't be able to come home due to the hijacking, only to learn later that his father was on the hijacked flight.
The hijacked flight, an Indian Airlines plane from Pathankot to Srinagar, was diverted to Dubai. After 36 hours, the 12 pro-Khalistani hijackers surrendered, releasing all 68 passengers and six crew members unharmed. This event, though resolved peacefully, left a lasting impact on Jaishankar, who was then an Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer. He later became a prominent minister after his retirement, following in the footsteps of his father, K. Subrahmanyam, a distinguished IAS officer and strategic affairs commentator.
Reflecting on his dual role during the hijacking, Jaishankar emphasized the unique perspective it provided him. He was both part of the official team dealing with the crisis and also a family member pressing the government for action. This experience, he said, gave him a rare understanding of both sides of the situation. He also humorously acknowledged the tendency of movies to portray governments unfavorably, focusing on the hero's perspective, while neglecting the complexities of real-life situations. His personal story highlights the human dimension of crisis management and the sacrifices made by individuals, often unseen, to ensure the safety and well-being of others.