The most-awaited web series of the month, IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack was released on Netflix on August 28, 2024. IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack is a limited series released on Netflix and it has buzzing on social media among fans as it has brought one of the most controversial chapters of India when the government had to release three Pakistani terrorists to secure the lives of people on Indian Airlines. IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack is a true story based on the 1999 hijacking of an Indian Airlines flight from Kathmandu (Nepal) to New Delhi by five Pakistani terrorists. Directed by Anubhav Sinha, the makers have clarified that some scenes shown in Netflix's IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack are fictional and the names given to the characters are also fictional. Since you have landed on this page, True Scoop assumes that you have watched the series on Netflix and wondering about IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack True Story & who was real-life Punjab DGP Prabhjot shown in the series?
Who was Punjab DGP during The Kandahar Hijack?
The series has showcased R&AW Head VK Agarwal called Punjab DGP Prabhjot and requested him to conduct a rescue operation and neutralise the five terrorists who hijacked the IC 814 Indian Airlines Flight. Notably, the Indian Airlines Flight had to land at Amritsar Airport for refueling, and from there the Pakistani hijackers compelled the pilot to take the flight to Kabul. During that period Afghanistan was ruled by the Taliban. Now, the question arises who was the real-life Punjab DGP during IC 814 The Kandahar Hijack?
The answer is Sarabjeet Singh. As per the information available, Sarabjeet Singh is a 1965 IPS officer who was serving as DGP Punjab when the Kandahar Hijack took place. Former DGP Sarajeet was quoted by a news portal in which he recalled about the incident. Then Punjab DGP Sarabjeet Singh revealed that he wanted to blow off the aircraft’s tyres, but had strict instruction from then Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal to avoid any ‘bloodshed’.
"We had considered blowing off the tires of the aircraft and even sent a fuel bowser with two IAF personnel in disguise to do this. But then it was certain that the hijackers would resort to killing the passengers in case anything of this sort was done…I could not speak to CM Parkash Singh Badal directly but a message was conveyed to me from him that nothing should be done to cause bloodshed," said Retd Officer Sarabjeet Singh as quoted by a news report.
Sarabjeet Singh further revealed that the CMG (Crisis Management Group) asked him not to do anything if it caused any harm to the passengers. "We did not have ladders and other such equipment to storm the aircraft and I was informed that the NSG would take 45 minutes to reach and a further two-three hours to prepare for any action." Ultimately, with nothing happening the pilots of the aircraft took off even as the aircraft was parked in the middle of the runway.
Interestingly, during that time, Punjab had a BJP-SAD coalition government. Also, there was a BJP government headed by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Still, no action was taken against the terrorists even though the flight was standing at Amritsar Airport for 40 minutes.