September 3, 2024
While the hijacking was carried out by Pakistani militant groups, there's evidence suggesting that the Pakistani government was aware of the plan and may have even supported it.
Indian intelligence agencies had intercepted communications related to the hijacking but were unable to prevent it. This failure led to significant criticism and reforms within the agencies.
The hijackers demanded the release of Maulana Masood Azhar, a leader of the militant group Jaish-e-Mohammed. His release was a major concession made by the Indian government, which has been criticized by many as a mistake.
After the release of Azhar, the hijackers successfully escaped from Kandahar airport in Afghanistan, taking with them three hostages. The fate of these hostages remains unknown.
The IC814 hijacking had a profound impact on Indo-Pak relations. It further strained the already tense relationship between the two countries and contributed to a cycle of violence and mistrust.