Indian Airlines Flight 427

Indian Airlines Flight 427
Hijacking summary
Date April 24 – 25, 1993
Summary Hijacking
Site Hijacked between Delhi and Srinagar, India
Passengers 141
Crew 6
Injuries (non-fatal) 0
Fatalities 3 hijackers
Aircraft type Boeing 737
Operator Indian Airlines
Flight origin Indira Gandhi International Airport
Delhi, India
Destination Amritsar, India

Indian Airlines Flight 427 was an aircraft hijacking that took place in India between April 24 and April 25, 1993. Commandos from India's National Security Guard (NSG) rescued all 141 passengers and crew of the Indian Airlines Boeing 737, on the ground at Amritsar airport. The lead hijacker, Mohammed Yousuf Shah, was killed before he could react and harm any of the hostages.

Operation

Indian Airlines Flight 427 was flying a domestic route from Delhi to Srinagar, when a group of armed men led by Mohammed Yousuf Shah hijacked the plane and landed it at Amritsar. The hijackers wanted the plane redirected to Kabul, Afghanistan.

Fourteen NSG commandos from the Quick Reaction Team entered the plane in pairs through seven different entrances, carrying Heckler & Koch MP5 submachine guns, Glock 17 or SIG Sauer pistols and poison-tipped knives. Two hijackers patrolling the aisle were killed immediately, followed by the one in the cockpit being disarmed and captured, all in less than 12 seconds. Yousuf Shah was killed before he could do any harm.

References