The first hijacking in India marked a dramatic moment in the country’s aviation and political history. Taking place in the early 1970s, it was an incident that reflected the socio-political tensions of the era and raised serious questions about national security and civil aviation safety. Although it did not result in any fatalities, the event captured the attention of the entire nation and left a lasting impact on how airline security was handled in India moving forward. This hijacking was not only a criminal act but also a symbol of deeper unrest, drawing connections between political dissent, militancy, and international attention.
Historical and Political Context
India in the 1970s
The 1970s were a turbulent time for India. The nation was dealing with political instability, economic challenges, and social unrest. Various political movements, particularly in Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir, were gaining momentum. During this decade, militant ideologies began to take root, with some groups seeking to draw attention to regional and religious grievances through dramatic actions.
Airline Industry and Security Measures
At that time, India’s civil aviation sector was in its early stages of modernization. Security protocols were minimal compared to today’s standards. Airports had limited surveillance, and passenger screening procedures were rudimentary. These vulnerabilities made Indian airspace susceptible to criminal exploitation, especially by politically motivated individuals or groups.
The Hijacking Incident of 1971
The Flight Details
The first hijacking in India occurred on January 30, 1971. The aircraft involved was an Indian Airlines domestic flight, operating on a routine schedule from Srinagar to Jammu. The plane was a Fokker F27 Friendship, carrying passengers and crew on a relatively short journey.
The Hijackers: Hashim and Ashraf Qureshi
The hijackers were two Kashmiri separatists, Hashim Qureshi and Ashraf Qureshi, who were associated with the National Liberation Front (NLF), a group with pro-Pakistani leanings. Their intention was to draw global attention to the Kashmir issue by taking control of the aircraft and forcing it to divert to Pakistan.
Execution of the Hijack
Midway through the flight, the hijackers produced weapons and forced the pilot to change course. The aircraft was diverted to Lahore, Pakistan, where it landed under the hijackers’ control. The hijacking was completed without violence, and none of the passengers or crew were harmed physically. However, the event itself created shockwaves across India and Pakistan.
Reactions in India and Pakistan
India’s Response
The Indian government was alarmed by the hijacking and responded swiftly. National media covered the event extensively, highlighting the security loopholes that allowed the hijacking to happen. Indian officials demanded that Pakistan return the hijackers to face trial, but Pakistan refused to comply.
Pakistan’s Reaction
Initially, the hijackers were treated as heroes by some groups in Pakistan. However, after India retaliated by banning overflights of Pakistani aircraft across Indian airspace a move that severely impacted Pakistan’s aviation logistics Pakistani authorities changed their stance. The Qureshi cousins were arrested, and the aircraft was mysteriously destroyed by fire on the tarmac.
Impact on India’s National Security Policy
Stricter Aviation Protocols
Following the incident, India significantly increased security measures at airports across the country. Some of the reforms included:
- Mandatory passenger screening and baggage checks before boarding.
- Installation of surveillance systems at major airports.
- Increased training for airline crew to handle emergency situations.
The hijacking served as a wake-up call that demonstrated the vulnerability of Indian civil aviation to political acts of terror.
Diplomatic Consequences
The diplomatic fallout between India and Pakistan was severe. India’s decision to ban Pakistani overflights created significant logistical issues for Pakistan, particularly with flights traveling to East Pakistan (now Bangladesh). The incident added to the mounting tensions that would eventually culminate in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 and the creation of Bangladesh later that year.
Legacy of the Hijacking
Long-Term Effects on Civil Aviation
The first hijacking in India established a precedent for how such threats would be managed in the future. Subsequent hijackings, though rare, were taken with much greater seriousness. India developed specialized anti-hijacking teams and began international collaborations on aviation security.
Political Symbolism
The hijacking became a symbol of the volatile relationship between India and Pakistan, as well as the complexity of the Kashmir conflict. For some, it was viewed as an act of resistance; for others, it was a dangerous provocation. Regardless of perspective, it brought the Kashmir issue to international headlines in a dramatic fashion.
Trials and Legal Outcomes
Years later, the hijackers faced mixed legal consequences. Hashim Qureshi was tried in Pakistan under pressure from international bodies, but the sentences were relatively light. In later decades, Qureshi returned to public life and remained involved in Kashmiri political activism. In India, efforts to extradite or prosecute the hijackers did not progress effectively due to the geopolitical complexities between the two nations.
The first hijacking in India was a pivotal event that exposed the vulnerabilities of a young nation’s aviation system and revealed the extent to which political tensions could manifest in acts of international terror. Although no lives were lost, the psychological impact was profound, and the incident reshaped India’s approach to air safety and counterterrorism. It also marked a turning point in Indo-Pak relations, contributing to the already intense rivalry that would soon escalate into full-scale war. As the first recorded hijacking in Indian aviation history, it remains a significant chapter in the story of modern Indian security policy and political history.