On December 24, 1999, Indian Airlines Flight 814 was hijacked by five members of a terrorist group while en route from Kathmandu, Nepal, to New Delhi, India. The hijackers, linked to the militant group Harkat-ul-Mujahideen, aimed to secure the release of imprisoned compatriots in India. The aircraft, carrying 190 passengers, was diverted to various locations, including Amritsar, India, and finally Kandahar, Afghanistan. Negotiations between Indian authorities and the hijackers were complicated by the backdrop of heightened tensions between India and Pakistan, as well as ongoing concerns about terrorism in the region.

The ordeal lasted for seven harrowing days, during which the passengers faced significant dangers and uncertainty. The hijackers demanded the release of three individuals described as terrorists held in Indian prisons. After extensive negotiations and a diplomatic crisis, the Indian government finally decided to comply with the hijackers’ demands. The turning point in the crisis was reached when the Indian authorities directed a team to Kandahar Airport, leading to the release of all 190 passengers on the flight at gunpoint. The climax of the incident saw the government grappling with tough decisions to ensure the safety of its citizens.

The crisis concluded with all hostages released on December 31, 1999, though the Indian government faced criticism for negotiating with terrorists. Notably, one of the key figures in resolving the crisis was the then Minister of External Affairs, Jaswant Singh, who led the negotiations with Afghan authorities. The incident raised significant concerns about air security and prompted the Indian government to enhance counter-terrorism measures in the aviation sector, signaling a change in the security landscape in South Asia.