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Featured Film | Flight 544 | By Rava Documentary Films — Transcript

by RAVA Documentary Films · 5,701 words · 917 segments · language en · Watch on YouTube

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0:15Our plane has been hijacked
0:18we had to head to India
0:20we don’t have enough fuel
0:27This flight was from Karachi to Panjgur
0:30Panjgur to Turbat
0:32Turbat to Gawadar
0:33and Gawadar to Karachi
0:36Those hijackers took the flight from Turbat
0:42they had weapons
0:44When I took-off from Gawadar
0:52only 10 minutes gone by
0:53they speak up it’s hijacked
1:01they were 3 people
1:02who want to organise a separatist moment in Pakistan
1:06and are criminals too
1:08At first, I thought it may be a passenger
1:10got hysteric
1:12But when
1:13a gun was on my head and
1:15other aimed at my right kidney
1:17then I realized that it was a real hijacking
2:5724th
2:57May
2:591998
3:02It was Sunday
3:04my posting was in Hyderabad
3:07I was Deputy Commissioner in Hyderabad
3:11I received a message over the walkie-talkie
3:13from the police control
3:17Telling me to head straight to the airport
3:23A wireless message came
3:25that all people
3:26should immediately reach Hyderabad airport
3:30I was sitting in the press club
3:32My gunman came and told me
3:35that a message is circulating over wireless control
3:36that a plane has been hijacked and
3:39is likely to land at Hyderabad airport
3:52There is no auto-pilot in Fokker
3:55you have to fly that physically
3:59I was flying
4:00and
4:02He screamed and told me
4:04just head to India
4:07Obviously, it was a shock for the pilot
4:16I tried to tell him that.. He didn’t listen
4:18and keep pressurizing me
4:20a voice came from behind
4:22when he turned and looked back
4:24Then I,
4:25there is a Squawk for hijacking
4:27that blinks on the radar
4:30indicating that this plane has been hijacked
4:32I squawked that in that moment
4:36first they removed my headset
4:39mine and my first officer’s
4:41and
4:42we had no communication from ground
4:47I said to them that until I do not talk to the ground
4:49how will I communicate
4:50he said No
4:51don’t talk, just keep going straight
4:55they had brought some map with them
5:00the more ignorant a hijacker is
5:01the more dangerous he becomes
5:03whenever I used to try and talk some sense to them
5:04the hijacker would reply abruptly in the negative
5:05he would say what else can you
5:06crash the plane, go ahead, do it
5:09but we will kill you
5:12they had a white cloth on their shoulder
5:15saying we had brought the burial shroud with them
5:20when I became more insistent
5:22he said that
5:24it seems you will not understand like this
5:26and they took my first officer
5:27Faisal Qureshi with them out of the cockpit to the rear of the plane
5:32after much pleading by me
5:35after 20 minutes they brought him back
5:37my first officer
5:41he told me to go straight
5:45If you go straight, making a straight line from Gwadar to Karachi
5:48there will be Jung Shahi
5:49ahead of Jung Shahi there will be India
5:51now I also knew where the Indian border was
5:53obviously every flyer knows
5:57my problem was
5:58how would things proceed if I do not talk to the ground control somehow
6:04So, with great difficulty I convinced them
6:06to let me just talk to the ground station
6:08He finally said okay. But on one condition
6:10that
6:10you will speak in Urdu
6:12in Urdu i spoke to the ground station
6:14Our plane has been hijacked
6:16and we have to go to India
6:18Ground asked me where exactly are you headed
6:19I said, they are telling me to go to New Delhi
6:21but I don’t have enough fuel
6:23the nearest is Bhuj
6:24take me there
6:26Now he was Listening
6:27when I.. I realized that
6:29I was nearing the border
6:31I
6:32started turning the plane very slightly, degree by degree
6:36the conditions at that time
6:37were not such that I would have afforded anything drastic
6:42then I spoke in English
6:44Kilo Delta
6:47Kilo Delta means that
6:48there is a non-directional beacon at Hyderabad airport
6:51that we use for navigation
6:53that was of Hyderabad
6:57I thought If I go to India
6:58they will kill us all
7:01What will be the last thing that will happen to me
7:03we will all die
7:09I said to myself, try to somehow land on the ground
7:16So I
7:17told him that your plan will not work so
7:19and you let me land in India in Bhuj
7:22So, he agreed to landing early
7:22I said, we refuel from here
7:25and then head to New Delhi
7:31Pilot asked airport manager, is this Bhuj’s Airport
7:35the Hyderabad Control Tower person immediately understood
7:36that this plane had been hijacked
7:38Showing tremendous presence of mind, he responded
7:39yes it is
7:39Bhuj Airport
7:40they were looking on their map
7:42where they had to see an Indian river
7:45and they actually
7:46thought that Indus river as Indian river of their map
7:54I
7:54had almost entered the Airport’s perimeter
7:57and the plane
7:58was also landing on the runway at that very time
8:01I then landed in Hyderabad in the dark of night
8:10I said to myself
8:12this is what I wanted to achieve and have done so
8:17In those days
8:18India
8:18it was 13th of May, If remember correctly
8:20when India had carried out their nuclear explosions
8:26and Pakistan was under intense international pressure in those days
8:28And it was also being said that
8:30if Pakistan conducts nuclear explosions
8:32it would probably lead to war
8:35all these things were in the air in those days
8:36so we thought that if we were called at the airport
8:38then there
8:39in such an emergency
8:40must be because of some grave national event
8:44I parked my vehicle and found
8:45Akhtar Gorchani who was SSP Hyderabad at that time was also there
8:48ASP Latifabad who was responsible for that area was also there
8:51Capt. Usman Anwar
8:53who is now I.G of Punjab
8:55he was also with him at the airport
9:02When we reached the airport
9:04there were members of airport administration
9:05Rangers, ISI, MI, agencies people
9:09Mr. Gorchani and I
9:12talked to the Airport manager
9:13he said that don't you know
9:15he told us that this plane has been hijacked
9:17we then
9:18saw that
9:19plane had arrived and was parked at the center of the runway
9:24Sohail Akber Shah was our Deputy Commissioner
9:26Mr. Mushtaq Shah was our D.I.G
9:29Mr. Akhtar Gorchani was our S.S.P
9:32Mr. Akhtar Gorchani was also present there
9:38I had landed
9:39parked the plane on the runway
9:48there was no communication between me and the Tower. Total silence
9:51our fuel would finish after a while
9:53so, I took out my torch
9:55I handed the torch to hijackers
9:57Because I knew, if it got completely dark
9:59they might panic and then likely open fire at anybody
10:04I saw some movement towards the airport terminal building
10:09there was also a travelling aide with us that day, and he was in uniform
10:11Mr. Chaudhry
10:12so
10:13I said
10:13send him to bring water or something for the passengers
10:25On the other side of the plane
10:28the SHO
10:29who had taken up position, called and told us on walkie talkie that the plane’s door has been opened
10:32All units alert
10:33All units alert
10:34Plane’s door opened
10:48A man in a PIA uniform
10:50was briskly walking towards the terminal
10:53he was worried and then
10:55it was getting dark too
11:07When he reached near me
11:09and I grabbed his hand
11:11he nervously said
11:12Look, our plane has been hijacked
11:15and we have landed in your place here
11:19and we've been told by the hijackers to ask for fuel
11:21as we need to fly ahead
11:22so, taking him with us
11:23we started heading back towards the airport
11:27while walking, he asked
11:28which place is this
11:30so, we told him, Hyderabad
11:32he exclaimed with surprise, Hyderabad
11:34but the pilot told us that we've landed in India
11:43The air hostesses
11:44also had the same thought that this is India
11:53when I heard him out
11:56Gorchani sir and I discussed
11:58and advised the airport manager
11:59to immediately switch off the airport lights
12:01Hyderabad should not be visibly written anywhere
12:06that night in Hyderabad
12:07due to Sohail Akbar Shah
12:09he made all the magistrates and SHOs run
12:12so there was no call to prayer in Hyderabad for the evening (Ishaa) prayer
12:14so that the hijackers wouldn't hear any prayers sound
12:22we asked him
12:23Are you the pilot
12:24he said, No, I'm not the pilot
12:25I'm an engineer at PIA
12:27I had gone to Gwadar for some equipment repair
12:31and now I'm traveling as a passenger
12:34"But it is our drill, we have to be in uniform while travelling
12:36and I'm traveling as a passenger
12:42he said they've sent him
12:44to talk to you and bring fuel
12:48then, a little later, the pilot called
12:50he said
12:51PK 544, for Bhuj Tower
12:54PK 544, for Bhuj Tower
12:56Do you copy
12:58Now we all fell silent
13:01and started looking at each other
13:04two or three times after a short delay
13:06he was making this call
13:07PK 544, for Bhuj Tower
13:09so, I
13:11picked up the wireless
13:13and said, PK 544 this is Bhuj Tower
13:22I asked, What's the problem
13:23he said
13:24my plane has been hijacked
13:26the hijackers are with me
13:30I told him to put me through with the hijackers
13:33I talked to the tower, and said to the hijacker, you talk
13:35he said, We have hijacked the aircraft
13:38give us fuel
13:40we need to go to Delhi
13:43I said, can you see any aircraft standing here
13:46it's very far away, in the middle of the desert, it is a village
13:50in Kutch
13:55in half an hour, fuel can't reach here
13:56sir, I will absolutely provide you with fuel
13:58So, the hijacker started saying
13:59If fuel doesn't reach in half an hour
14:01I'll shoot a passenger every five minutes and throw the body out
14:14I spoke up
14:16boldly said to him
14:18these are our enemies anyway, those who are with you
14:21Why are you killing them every half an hour
14:23just kill everyone now
14:24If you want fuel and
14:26want to move forward
14:28you'll have to give me time
14:30he said, Alright
14:31but don't do anything smart with me
14:36now in the meantime
14:38the rest of the senior officers had also arrived there
14:40even the army and the civil
14:42I asked them, What should we do now
14:49they said
14:50first of all
14:52the aircraft is standing right at the Runway Center
14:57you talk to them
14:58and try to get this aircraft moving forward
15:01in the corner of the runway
15:06I told him
15:08that I move the aircraft and take it into a corner
15:12Since I had experience of working in air traffic control
15:14I wanted to isolate the airplane
15:19the one
15:21who was leader had the name Shahsawar
15:23he started saying
15:24are you trying to take us to a corner to kill us
15:26I said
15:27If we wanted to kill you
15:28you would already be our target here
15:30But we don't want to harm you
15:31we are facilitating you
15:33so that once the concerned people come, you can talk
15:34when the fuel will come, where will it be dropped
15:37It can't be reached in trucks because we are very far away
15:39anyway, he came into our conversation
15:42they took the plane forward
15:45Whatever fuel was left
15:50I used it to taxi the plane
15:52on the runway where we had landed
15:54I parked it on the other side
15:58we said
15:59Yes, we are sending you water
16:01But we don't know if there is water in the aircraft or not
16:04he said, No one will come near the plane
16:06Our guy (the engineer), give it to him he will bring the water
16:10told him that his blood pressure has increased
16:13and our doctor is administering drip to him
16:17therefore, if you permit
16:18we send another person
16:20who can bring you water
16:24from the District Administration
16:26the Deputy Commissioner and the SDM were there
16:28they had ordered many bottles of mineral water
16:33we also thought about the water
16:36that there is a wrapper of mineral water bottle
16:40Urdu writing should not be there
16:42we gave them bottles with English writing on them
16:49now the question was who should deliver them
16:51voluntarily said, Let me go, I'll deliver them
16:55and
16:56since it was a holiday
16:58I was also in a casual wear...trousers and shirt
17:00holding two shopping bags
17:02and as I was about to step out
17:05I saw two ASPs standing outside
17:11there was one ASP in the corridor in uniform
17:14and one ASP in a casual wear
17:18Dr. Usman Anwar, who is currently IG Punjab
17:23now I knew that Pakistani agencies will do rest of the work
17:26I will praise the police
17:30the Intelligence Bureau
17:32the ISI
17:34and our army
17:37Akhtar Gorchani sahab said to me, Come with me
17:40Both of us
17:42descending the stairs of the airport building
17:44towards the runway
17:49I was thinking that
17:51when we get there, we might have to communicate somehow
17:56so, I told Control that
17:58I am becoming the airport manager and
18:01ASP is becoming the assistant airport manager
18:05and we gave ourselves names
18:07for example
18:08I named ASP Ram Chander
18:10I named myself Manoj Kumar
18:11And we chose the name of the Deputy Commissioner
18:13as Gopi Chand
18:15if someone says Gopi Chand, it means the message is for the DC
18:18At that moment, when you were going
18:20you either think all this
18:22or I sit and think
18:23perhaps fear arises
18:25But when you are in the situation
18:26there is no fear
18:28Now your brain works differently
18:30As I was leaving, Usman made me realize
18:34Sir, consider this, there's a risk of life
18:36Anything can happen
18:38we are unarmed while they have weapons
18:49so, I said
18:51Death comes at its own time, which is predetermined
18:55no worries
18:56I have strong faith in Allah, so I went ahead
19:00Me and Usman were discussing that
19:03when we go there
19:05we'll try
19:07to engage those people somehow while providing water
19:13I told Mr. Gorchani on the way
19:14Sir, I have
19:15money in my pocket
19:17they could check my pockets
19:19five hundred rupees was a big amount
19:21at that time
19:22so
19:23I put the currency note underneath a stone
19:24thinking we'll find it later but couldn’t
19:28We reached there
19:30almost
19:32two to three hundred meters away
19:33the plane was parked in darkness
19:36It was completely dark except for the pale lights
19:39we saw that passengers due to the heat
19:42were fanning themselves holding newspapers
19:49so
19:50we
19:51gestured to them indicating that we’ve brought water for them
19:56but they weren't responding
19:58then we informed the control tower through walkie-talkie that
20:02they should inform the pilots that
20:05our airport manager and assistant manager
20:08have brought water for them
20:10they can come and collect the water
20:12their response was
20:14communicated by Control Tower that they are refusing
20:17they won't come forward, just leave the water there
20:19and go back
20:32now my effort was to somehow engage them in conversation
20:35I told Control to tell
20:37that we Indians are very happy with their work
20:40we are standing here to welcome
20:48they didn't respond at
20:50so, we kept insisting
20:52then we got a little closer and called out to them
20:59Brother, come here
21:00we are your well-wishers
21:01we are here to welcome you
21:03And we Indians are very happy
21:05that you have done a very good job
21:12so, after a lot of hesitation
21:14I saw them that they were agreed
21:29the first hijacker had whispered to the other guy
21:31his name, which I forgot
21:33keep pointing gun towards him
21:35meaning, as soon as there was a little commotion, kill him
21:37in those days
21:38the Indian dish channels had already been aired
21:42called Star Plus
21:43they used to show Hindi dramas on it
21:45one could learn a few Hindi words by watching these dramas
21:48and yes
21:48Akhtar Gorchani was better at speaking complete Hindi than me
21:53I think so
21:56after a lot of hesitation
21:57he shouted that
21:59one person should step forward
22:01and come with his hands up
22:06I said, Okay, now you too raise your hands and come forward
22:09I thought their intention was
22:12Pakistan was under pressure these days
22:15they were like that
22:17somehow to fly the plane to India
22:19India would be in a bargaining position
22:21I personally think that
22:24we could not have had nuclear tests
22:29like a thriller
22:31and a
22:32suspense
22:34this is a risk
22:35anything can happen to us
22:38it was like a scene from a movie
22:40as if I was raising my hands from here
22:42and he was coming forward from there
22:53as we approached the aircraft
22:54and
22:55got closer
22:55I hugged him (the hijacker) tightly and congratulated him
23:07I spoke all the Hindi I knew
23:10I said, We Indians are very pleased with your action
23:14and
23:15consider you our friend from the heart
23:17we have come here to welcome you
23:21Gorchani sir remained remarkably calm
23:23and
23:24the hijackers guiding us to the ground at gunpoint
23:28subsequently, when they requested water
23:29I promptly went to the aircraft and provided it to them
23:50in those days, other channels were inaccessible
23:53India's Zee TV channel was accessible
23:54occasionally, we tuned in to watch Indian dramas
23:56I incorporated the few Hindi words
23:58I had picked up from these dramas into my speech
24:01aiming to create the impression that we were indeed Indians
24:23Subsequently
24:24the hijackers appeared content and pleased
24:28sir, you should facilitate a meeting with your Prime Minister
24:29and President
24:30we are prepared to undertake further tasks of this nature
24:37in response, I assured them
24:38rest assured
24:39we will arrange meetings with our Prime Minister
24:41and our President
24:43you can relax
24:44and consider yourself at home
24:47our friendship developed rapidly
24:50he also joined us on the runway and settled in comfortably
24:55As the conversation commenced
24:57my eagerness to share jokes, as usual, was palpable
25:00we swiftly began exchanging humorous anecdotes
25:03while some jokes touched on Pakistan-related themes
25:08others simply brought joy to the moment
25:12laughter filled the air, and the conversation flowed effortlessly
25:18Usman skillfully joined the conversation
25:20Usman humorously remarked
25:23today, I had planned to treat my family to dinner
25:25at the Ganga Hotel
25:27we had to have a family dinner
25:28our holiday arrangements went awry
25:36As the hijacker started asking questions
25:37I found myself stumped
25:39When he inquired about the direction and distance to Delhi
25:43I made light-hearted guesses, jesting
25:45I'd say it's about five hundred kilometers in that direction
25:47Likewise, when questioned about Mumbai
25:48Oh, it's roughly three hundred kilometers in the opposite direction
25:53we delved into conversation
25:56In India, stringent inspections are the norm
25:59passengers are prohibited from carrying weapons or explosives on board
26:04we were curious to hear their explanation
26:07he informed us that there was an official
26:10whom we had paid one and a half lakh rupees
26:12and we pretended to be transporting drugs
26:16he trusted us
26:19and
26:20he didn't inspect the luggage
26:22convinced that we were simply drug smugglers
26:27for the third or fourth time, they (hijackers) replaced the drugs
26:30with weapons and gunpowder in the luggage
26:33their intention was to blow up the plane
26:35like a bomb
26:43as time passed during our conversation
26:47so
26:48we began to move around intermittently
26:51gradually, they also developed confidence in us
26:54we kept the control informed about the situation through the walkie-talkie
27:00we engaged the hijackers in conversation
27:02and asked
27:03how long we needed to keep them engaged in conversation
27:11at the back of my mind, I kept reminding myself
27:13that regardless of the circumstances
27:14commando action had to be taken
27:15whatever needed to be done
27:16had to be completed before dawn
27:29a breakthrough occurred
27:31when the hijackers mentioned that
27:31the air conditioning inside the plane was not functioning
27:34and the heat was becoming unbearable
27:41we proposed installing fans in the plane
27:43considering the passengers' discomfort due to the heat
27:45we promptly notified
27:47the control that we required a generator
27:50we requested the dispatch of a generator
27:52and in coded language
27:52we emphasized the need for someone reliable to accompany it
27:55we aimed
27:56to bolster our numbers
27:58and ensure the presence of a trained individual
28:11By that time, Major Aamir of ISI had arrived
28:13we requested to
28:14Major to don the dungaree
28:16which is the uniform of the airport staff
28:23Major Sahab was a remarkably amiable individual
28:25he sported prominent sideburns
28:26and didn't quite fit the image of a typical military man
28:28he arrived wearing dungarees, accompanied by the generator
28:42now the generator had also arrived
28:43and we kept trying to figure out
28:45how to operate the fans inside the plane
28:50I was allowed on the plane under the guise of technical problems
28:58the first person entered the plane
29:00in my opinion
29:02three hours after landing
29:06I had briefed Major Aamir
29:08and Usman Anwar to ensure that
29:11upon entering to install the fans
29:14they assess whether these three hijackers are the only ones
29:16or if there are others
29:17additionally, despite the pistols being visible
29:19they needed to check for any bombs or explosive materials
29:24when we both went inside the plane
29:28I asked the air hostess
29:30with eye signals how many hijackers are there
29:32so, she gestured
29:35five to me
29:38then I got confirmed that there are five
29:40anyway
29:40we installed pedestal fans in the plane
29:42and there was some relief from the intensity of the heat
29:47by this time
29:49the confidence of the hijackers
29:50in us had grown to such an extent
29:52that Usman
29:54kept moving in the plane
29:56with the hijackers and chatting with them
29:57Major Aamir also
29:59conversed with the pilot and was present at the gate ahead
30:03the hijackers were satisfied
30:04and they were assured that they were in very safe hands
30:06and they were not worried at all
30:14now, our planning began in earnest
30:15we appealed to the hijackers for permission
30:15that it was getting late
30:18and we needed to bring some food for both them and the passengers
30:22Meanwhile
30:24we received a call from DC Sohail Akbar Shah
30:26Deputy Commissioner of Hyderabad
30:28who informed us
30:30that he had arranged food for the passengers
30:37the head of hijackers (Shahsawar)
30:41I explained that
30:42in our country
30:43the officer in charge of a district is known as the Collector
30:45in India
30:47unsure of the terminology in Pakistan
30:51he clarified that they call him the DC
30:53yes, our DC
30:55Gopi Chand is a fine man and a close friend
30:58so
30:59I requested him
31:01to prepare food
31:03as the passengers were hungry, and you people must be too
31:05with their permission, we would arrange for it
31:09we confirmed with them that
31:10there were no Urdu writings on the packing material
31:15the food that Deputy Commissioner was supposed to send us
31:18he requested a Thai newspaper
31:21as its text closely resembles the Gurmukhi format
31:23the food was wrapped in these papers and sent to us
31:24سہیل اکبر شاہ بہت ذہین تھے
31:26and
31:26Mr. Gorchani showed bravery
31:28and I was his vanguard
31:30we selected the food on which
31:32there were no Urdu writings on them
31:34even at that time
31:35Pepsi cans came in two varieties
31:38one from Dubai labeled bebsi
31:42and the other made in Pakistan with a P - Pepsi
31:44instead of Pepsi
31:47we kept only those with "bebsi" written on them
31:50I radioed for Gopi to bring the food boxes
31:55and Sohail Akbar Shah also joined in
32:13we had disguised ourselves as Hindus
32:15and then the food arrived, intended for Muslims
32:19we were informed that the food was coming
32:21now, here's my concern
32:23as a Captain
32:24you can't afford to overlook things
32:25these hijackers weren't entirely uneducated
32:29if the food could be brought from anywhere
32:31and then it was labeled of Phuleli Hyderabad
32:32What happens next
32:33It seems the story Ends there
32:38the DC has informed us
32:39that we've arranged for you
32:40specially
32:42for a Muslim restaurant to be opened specifically for us
32:50we were extremely cautious
32:53that
32:54fearing any suspicion as SP Sahib reached for the kebabs
32:58it immediately occurred to me
32:59that he (the hijacker) might cast doubt on us
33:01I told him, "Look, Mahraj
33:03we don't consume meat
33:04we were famished, so we concocted an excuse
33:07claiming to be educated individuals and do eat all kinds of food
33:10Gorchani Sahab understood
33:12and he shot me an angry look
33:13due to his intense hunger
33:14he promptly grabbed chicken
33:16insisting, "Maharaj, we eat chicken
33:18we eat chicken but no beef
33:23it was fried chicken
33:25Sohail Akbar Shah Sahab arranged it
33:27and it turned out to be exceptional, its aroma was irresistible
33:28Major Aamir was swift
33:30he admitted, "I usually consume it discreetly
33:32he indulged in the chicken
33:34but I refrained, pretending to staunchly adhere to Hindu dietary restrictions
33:36I abstained from eating
33:37the bread was served with the meal
33:39perhaps from a renowned restaurant
33:41I consumed the bread that accompanied the roast
33:43we found ourselves dining with the hijackers
33:46engaging in casual conversation
33:55the intense heat caused the children to sweat profusely
33:57and the women were visibly uncomfortable
33:59their perspiration matching the pace of their water intake
34:01while the fan offered little relief
34:02outside, a gentle breeze provided some respite
34:04I approached the hijackers
34:06and implored them
34:08to release the women and children
34:10however, he adamantly refused
34:12then he inquired
34:14about my knowledge of the plane
34:16I responded affirmatively about the aircraft
34:17although I had no information whatsoever
34:19well, I'm still unaware of any details about the plane
34:20the hijacker inquired further, Where is the plane's fuel tank
34:26to which I countered
34:28what is your intention with the fuel tank
34:30his reply was chilling I need it to fire bullets
34:33once this hijacking event concludes
34:34during the press conference with Zee TV
34:37I will
34:37blow up the plane
34:38he expressed his intention to set the plane ablaze
34:39due to the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) branding
34:51and again
34:53as time passed
34:56we grew anxious
34:57that
34:58the neon sign of Hyderabad Airport
35:01might come into view
35:11there was a palpable fear that with the dawn
35:13the mosque and the city of Hyderabad might become visible
35:22with Shahsawar by my side I urged him
35:23Maharaj, observe
35:24the aircraft's air conditioning is faltering
35:28and the lights have dimmed
35:29the passengers are distressed
35:31these women and children
35:33you should consider releasing them temporarily
35:35they can find respite in the airport building
35:37the hijacker remained obstinate
35:39Sirs, this is challenging; we cannot comply," he persisted
35:44Sohail appealed, "I beseech you,
35:45sir please allow
35:46the women and children to leave
35:49Joining in, I added,
35:51Look my friend our Collector Our DC is really down-to-earth
35:54is advocating for them
35:55Upon returning inside, I announced
35:58Ladies and children, please exit
36:00however, some passengers didn't comprehend my language
36:01So, I reiterated, "Ladies and children, please exit
36:13I also directed the air hostesses
36:15you should also go and await assistance at the airport
36:19I recall the air hostesses' names
36:22names: Asma Irani and Khalida Afridi
36:28they were both remarkably courageous
36:30they declared
36:32our allegiance lies with our captain
36:35we refuse to abandon the plane
36:40now we felt reassured that
36:41even amidst potential gunfire or crisis
36:45the safety of the women and children was ensured
36:50I repeatedly informed
36:51the DIG Police
36:53that these hijackers weren't highly skilled I emphasized
36:57we are four, and they are three aside
36:59from pistols, they lacked explosives
37:08If granted permission
37:11we should take action
37:12I believed we could overpower them
37:14despite our persistent pleas, we consistently received the same response
37:16no, do not take risks
37:17so that is
37:19it was deeply troubling to contemplate
37:22if dawn broke
37:24and they grew suspicious
37:28and our plans were uncovered
37:30we didn't have any weapons
37:31leaving us entirely at their mercy
37:34they can do anything to us
37:44Seeking counsel from Mr. Gorchani
37:46I inquired, "What are your thoughts
37:47He asserted "those in the control room lack our on-ground perspective
37:50we are the ones experiencing the situation firsthand
37:54our assessment of the situation is accurate
37:57these are indeed significant concerns
38:00and soon the dawn prayers will commence
38:02in a little while however
38:04you are in charge
38:05What would you like us to do we will abide by your decision
38:09Mr Gorchani displayed valor
38:11insisting, "Proceed with the plan
38:12we silenced all our walkie-talkies
38:14severing communication
38:16with the hijacker momentarily distracted we made our move
38:19the hijackers were dispersed
38:21they maintained discipline in that regard
38:23we were perplexed to realize that two passengers
38:25were not hijackers
38:27there were only three
38:29one was below
38:29and two were above in the plane
38:32bringing those two individuals to the plane's doors
38:34we felt confident in our ability to control them
38:39there, at the runway's edge, stood the plane
38:41and I stood alongside Shahsawar
38:44walking and conversing
38:49Osman was engaged in discussion with another hijacker at the rear gate
38:54while Major Aamir conversed with the third hijacker
38:57as I noticed everyone assuming their positions
39:00I approached the stairs to confer with the captain
39:12We had resolved that sacrifices needed to be made
39:14because
39:14we were held at gunpoint
39:16without any means of defense
39:18and indeed with the airport surrounded by police and rangers
39:22and the Pakistan Armed Forces on site
39:24we were confident that the hijackers had no escape route
39:25it was a decisive moment to confront them head-on
39:29we rallied behind the cry of victory
39:30the hijackers were taken aback by our bold move
39:55As I strode forward, in one fluid motion
39:57I brought the Shahsawar down to the ground
39:59after his swift descent
40:01I swiftly placed one knee firmly upon his chest to restrain him
40:05Meanwhile, Osman skillfully subdued a hijacker from behind
40:10In a swift maneuver
40:12the major pushed a hijacker
40:15and both adversaries tumbled to the ground
40:20my vigilant first officer
40:22promptly retrieved our crash axe
40:23sensing the capture
40:25of a hijacker our first officer decisively aimed a blow at the hijacker's neck with the axe
40:29however, fate intervened redirecting the axe's trajectory to strike Major Aamir's finger
40:33instead the major's finger fractured
40:35under the force of impact
40:38causing him to release his grip on the terrorist
40:39as I ascended the stairs
40:42our paths converged
40:43he collapsed onto me at that moment
40:51he swiftly got to his feet and shot
40:58fortunately, the bullet found no mark
41:00he dashed outside
41:04the moment he got away,
41:05I immediately I was aware that
41:07I discerned that SHO Latifabad had cordoned off the area
41:12I promptly dialed him
41:13alerting him to the fleeing hijacker
41:15urging him to apprehend the fugitive
41:42later, SHO recounted
41:44that upon receiving my call
41:45I was stationed near the aircraft, armed with a Kalashnikov
41:47as I got up from lying down
41:49and the hijacker froze at the sight of my rifle swiftly
41:51he was detained, admonished, and escorted back
41:53The Shahsawar lay prone
41:55bewildered by the sudden turn of events his gaze met mine
41:57a silent plea echoing in his eyes
41:59You too, Brutus
42:09Once comrades now adversaries
42:17he grappled with the inexplicable shift in allegiance
42:21with the capture of all perpetrators
42:23and their subsequent subjugation
42:25I reached out to Control
42:28Deputy Commissioner, known by the call sign Adil
42:31I said, "Adil, Hyderabad Control
42:33and they started to think for the past six or seven hours
42:36this guy's been calling Gopi Chand
42:38and now Adil is using his call sign
42:41something must be wrong, or maybe something's right
42:44I informed them that we had captured the hijackers
42:46and to immediately send the police towards the aircraft
42:48In the next moment, I saw
42:49thirty-five police vehicles suddenly turning on their lights
42:53and rushing towards us
42:59the police swiftly arrived and apprehended the hijackers
43:01then we went inside the airport where all the officers were present
43:04Corps Commander Sahab was also there
43:05who is still alive
43:06Chief Minister Sindh, Liaquat Jatoi, was present too
43:10IG Sindh Aftab Nabi was there
43:12and so was DIG Mushtaq Shah
43:14so
43:16سب لوگ خوش تھے
43:17these hijackers were planning to go to Chandigarh
43:19they had handlers
43:21there they had a written press conference
43:24that they were supposed to conduct in Chandigarh
43:26there was pressure on the Pakistani government
43:29to prevent a nuclear blast
43:30a few days ago India had conducted a nuclear explosion
43:35and on the 28th of May, we were supposed to carry out a nuclear blast
43:38which all this hijacking was meant to prevent
43:47The ringleader was sentenced to death and hanged
43:50twenty years after the incident
44:08Many sacrifices were made
44:10and this was the nuclear explosion
44:11it’s so simple to say
44:13but to scrutinize the police or to express disdain for the armed forces
44:16it's effortless for those who don't truly understand
44:19criticizing the police or showing hostility towards the armed forces
44:22and failing to acknowledge the sacrifices made by our armed forces
44:24by our intelligence agencies
44:25expressing criticism towards the forces
44:29the resilience of those serving in our conflict zones like Siachen
44:31and the dedication of those guarding our borders
44:35One should visit the barricades erected by the Pakistan army
44:39someone ought to show me how to climb up there
44:43my message to the new generation is simple
44:46whatever you do
44:48do it with passion
44:49and in this regards do it with passion and dedication
44:53you sense that your conscience is at peace
44:56you're entirely convinced that you've fulfilled your duty
45:01whether or not recognition follows
45:03the heart finds contentment in knowing one has served with integrity
45:10I didn't undertake this task for recognition or accolades
45:12it was a sense of duty that drove me
45:14knowing that I fulfilled
45:16that duty was reward enough
45:18that was my duty
45:21my duty mattered a lot
45:23the situation was more than my job
45:26could handle once their evil intentions surfaced
45:28even if someone else were in my place
45:30they would have done the same ensuring that justice prevailed
45:35Government officers face challenging circumstances
45:39if the government recognized me
45:42if they had given me my reward acknowledgment and appreciation
45:45would not only bring personal satisfaction
45:50but also uplift the morale of the entire police force
45:54In my view, Akhtar Gorchani deserved the Quaid-e-Azam Police Medal
45:58کسی بھی وجہ سے
45:59it eluded him
46:00it's crucial to uphold such sentiments
46:02and I want to mention
46:04we have exemplary examples before us
46:07I often reminisce about Major Aamir
46:09he once said to me, "Doctor Sahab I wonder if we'll return alive
46:12we've shared numerous operations together
46:14I stay in touch with Mr. Gorchani
46:16I’d like to express through your platform
46:18I extend my gratitude to
46:19Mr. Sohail Akbar Shah and all others who stood with us

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