Israeli commandos with a Mercedes-Benz 600 during Operation Thunderbolt (wikipedia)
Anubhav Sinha's latest directorial venture, IC 814 - The Kandahar Hijack, is now available for streaming on Netflix. The series delves into the harrowing hijacking of Indian Airlines Flight IC 814, a terrifying ordeal that began on December 24, 1999, and captivated the world. The plane, en route to Kathmandu, was carrying 191 passengers and crew members when it was overtaken by five armed hijackers. The story of IC 814 draws inevitable comparisons to another infamous hijacking incident - Operation Thunderbolt, also known as the Entebbe Raid.
Flight IC 814 had just begun its journey to Kathmandu when five hijackers seized control of the aircraft. The plane, originally bound for India, was forcibly diverted to Kandahar, Afghanistan. The hijackers made audacious demands, including the release of 36 of their imprisoned comrades and a ransom of $200 million. The situation was dire, and after days of tense negotiations mediated by the Taliban, the Indian government made the difficult decision to release three terrorists to secure the safety of the hostages.
The story of IC 814 draws inevitable comparisons to another infamous hijacking incident "Operation Thunderbolt," also known as the Entebbe Raid. This historical parallel is crucial in understanding the gravity and complexity of such situations. On June 27, 1976, Air France Flight 139, carrying 248 passengers, was hijacked by Palestinian and German terrorists shortly after it departed from Tel Aviv. The plane was rerouted to Entebbe, Uganda, where the hijackers demanded the release of 54 Palestinian prisoners and a $5 million ransom.
The Entebbe Raid, or Operation Thunderbolt, remains one of the most daring rescue missions in history. Upon landing at Entebbe Airport, the hijackers began separating Israeli Jewish passengers from the rest. The majority of the non-Israeli passengers were released, leaving 94 Israelis, including 12 Air France crew members, as hostages. Idi Amin, the infamous dictator of Uganda, welcomed the hijackers and deployed his soldiers to guard the airport, further complicating the situation.
Israel's response to the Entebbe hijacking was swift and calculated. Intelligence was gathered through various channels, including the testimonies of released hostages and surveillance photos taken by Mossad agents. The operation was fraught with challenges, primarily due to the 4,000 km distance between Israel and Uganda and the lack of precise information about the situation on the ground. However, the discovery that the airport terminal where the hostages were held had been constructed by an Israeli company gave Israel a strategic advantage.
Faced with immense pressure from the families of the hostages and conflicting opinions within the government, the Israeli leadership had to act decisively. Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin was inclined to negotiate with the terrorists, but Defense Minister Shimon Peres advocated for a military solution. The mission's success hinged on the meticulous planning and execution of the rescue operation, led by Brigadier General Dan Shomron and Yonatan Netanyahu, the elder brother of Israel's current Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu.
On July 4, 1976, Operation Thunderbolt commenced. Four Hercules planes carrying 200 elite commandos from Sayeret Matkal, Israel's top special forces unit, took off from Sinai. The commandos had to navigate through enemy airspace, flying at low altitudes to avoid detection. Upon landing at Entebbe, the commandos deployed in a convoy, including a black Mercedes identical to Idi Amin's official vehicle, to avoid arousing suspicion among Ugandan soldiers.
However, the operation encountered an unexpected setback. Ugandan soldiers, who were accustomed to seeing Idi Amin in a white Mercedes, became suspicious of the convoy. In a tense moment, Yonatan Netanyahu, leading the ground operation, ordered the commandos to neutralize the threat. The soldiers swiftly eliminated the Ugandan guards and proceeded to storm the terminal where the hostages were held.
The assault on the terminal was executed with precision. The commandos swiftly engaged the hijackers, killing them before they could harm the hostages. Tragically, Yonatan Netanyahu was the only Israeli soldier to lose his life during the operation. The mission's success was celebrated worldwide as a testament to Israel's resolve and military prowess.
IC 814 - The Kandahar Hijack offers viewers a compelling look at one of the most dramatic episodes in India's history. The series not only recounts the events of the 1999 hijacking but also serves as a reminder of the global challenges posed by terrorism. By drawing parallels to Israel's Operation Thunderbolt, the series underscores the complex decisions that governments must make in the face of such crises. As IC 814 streams on Netflix, it invites audiences to reflect on the courage, sacrifice, and strategic brilliance that shape the outcomes of such high-stakes situations.
Copyright © 2025 Top Indian News
