In 1993, when I was posted as police officer in Amritsar, I was twice the member of the team that dealt with the two hijacking, IC 439 on 27/03/1993 and IC 427 on 24/04/1993. The state police, headed by DGP Gill as the first responders, effectively handled the IC 439 hijacking with a proactive approach. The negotiations were skillful and tactful, and the strategies adopted by then DGP Mr KPS Gill & SSP Amritsar Shri Dhillon were outstanding. The same team, that included myself, again handled the hijacking of IC 427 dated 24/04/1993 that landed in Amritsar.During the second hijacking, the negotiations were initiated swiftly despite the hijacker being armed and threatening to kill passengers. The Urdu speaking skills of Shri Dhillon were instrumental in effective and friendly negotiation process. DGP Shri KPS Gill personally negotiated with the hijacker, and the crisis management group in Delhi dispatched an NSG team from Manesar based on the discussions with DGP Gill and the Home Department Punjab. The immense pressures were handled with full authority and responsibility.
It is important to note that as per the SOP, the NSG is the only organization trained and authorized for vehicular intervention in Airplane Hijackings. The state commandos had no role to play in storming the plane. Any failure of such a team could result in disastrous outcomes. The failure to timely station the oil tanker in front of the plane at Amritsar Airport run way in 1999 led to the departure of IC 814, while in 1993 IC 427 remained stationed at the airport, resulting in a successful NSG operation and neutralization of the Hijacker. The operation was praised worldwide.
In 1993 being present on the scene, I saw how the negotiation team effectively and proactively used the presence of mind, superior negotiation skills, and the strategic deployment of the oil tanker to manage the hijacking of IC 427. It’s worth mentioning that, it appears to me that the hijacking of IC 427 and IC 439 were the full dress rehearsals for the hijacking of IC 814 of 1999. The strategies employed by the then team in 1993 were unfortunately made ineffective in 1999 because of Inefficient crisis management skills employed, more so by the 1st responders, I.e. the state team dealing with the crisis at Amritsar and in the state.
I would like to address the delay in the NSG’s arrival in 1999. The CMG in Delhi was aware of the hijacking and every possibility of the plane landing in Amritsar. Hence, they had the option to prepare in advance and send the NSG team to Amritsar in the shortest possible time. There are some hidden issues that only the late DGP Shri Birdi can tell, who was the then IGP Border Range in 1999, but the reality is “ dead men tell no tales”. The kind of embarrassment which India subsequently faced on account of Kandahar Hijacking and releasing of three dreaded terrorists will always remain a gravest blot in Aviation & Anti-terror history of India. The stakeholders can be openly held responsible. The released militants since than have been responsible for killing of hundreds of Indian citizens via proxy war directly and indirectly. But there is a proverb “ ਤੀਰ ਇਕ ਵਾਰੀ ਕਾਮਨ ਚੋ ਨਿਕਲਿਆ ਫੇਰ ਹਥ ਨਹੀਂ ਆਉਂਦਾ”.
In furtherance to above I would like to add :- Why the Punjab Commandos still not have been trained for anti-hijacking vehicular intervention. There is a valid legal reason behind it. It is the SOP designed for such operations qua Hijackings. I strongly believe that this should continue, that NSG shall be the sole agency for vehicular intervention in the case of Airplane Hijacking. They are the best trained and best equipped. It also maintains uniformity. Their skillful intervention in the IC 439 Hijacking in 1993, to which I am a witness, is unmatched. I am proud of it. The defense put forward by the former DGP, citing the lack of training of Punjab Commandos, hence holds no value. The failure of his team and other stakeholders in 1999 cannot be put around the neck of Punjab Commandos, who always perform their duties in the best possible manner, including the most daring ones. The failure of Police leadership cannot be made a tool to blame the lowest level of the force’s hierarchy. “ Accept responsibility” ( Then DGP, DIG, SSP and CMO Punjab). At the same time I am sure that the present Crisis Management Group, CMG, now is fully prepared, and we have the multiple NSG teams effectively trained for Vehicular Intervention qua the Plane Hijackings. Otherwise, it reminds me of one another famous Punjabi Proverb. “ ਵੇਹੜੇ ਆਈ ਜੰਜ ਤੇਹ ਵਿਨੋਂ ਕੁੜੀ ਦੇ ਕੰਨ”. I hope this is not the case to deal with Hijackings now. Its impressive that GOI has designed to never negotiate with Hijackers.
GOOD LUCK !!.