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Flight into fear: The captain's story
Account of the hijacking of Indian Airlines aircarft from Delhi to Kathmandu and back on Dec. 1999.
208 pages, Paperback
First published March 31, 2003
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
June 15, 2016
December 1999, the peak of the holiday season. But what was supposed to be a routine flight for Captain Devi Sharan turned into one of the most horrific situations our country has faced...
I don't often read non-fiction, but this ranks among the very best books I've read. The horrifying true story of the hijack of flight IC-814, and the tragedy that unfolded... but also, the bravery and fortitude of the crew and passengers aboard it - a story of grief but also the resilience of the human spirit.
I don't often read non-fiction, but this ranks among the very best books I've read. The horrifying true story of the hijack of flight IC-814, and the tragedy that unfolded... but also, the bravery and fortitude of the crew and passengers aboard it - a story of grief but also the resilience of the human spirit.
September 22, 2024
●"We all love you. We all love you."
●Autographs of the hijackers taken.
●Shawl was gifted to one passenger from Burger.
●Passengers wrote their addresses to one of the hijackers.
●Antakshari and Shayari.
●Sorry and thank you exchanged.
●And additionally,I saw a video of a woman who was remembering the hijackers with fondness and has kept the gift and autograph from a hijacker like a souvenir.
I strongly hold the government of that time responsible for forcing people to abandon their 'Hum sath sath hai' moments. Passengers seemed content with the hijackers, so why did India have to release three dangerous terrorists for their sake? They were happy.
Can’t a hijacker stab four people? Can’t a hijacker stab someone 13 times and leave them to die? Can't a hijacker wield a grenade and a revolver? Can’t a hijacker threaten to kill if you even move? At least they were friendly. So what if a bag of explosives was there to blow up the plane?
The hijackers insulted the Indian army, tried to convert people to Islam, and gave lectures on Islam. They stabbed a few and caused one death.But they were friendly.
Negotiations began with the release of over 30 terrorists and 800 crore rupees and settled at releasing 3 terrorists and letting the hijackers go. This seemed pointless since the passengers liked the hijackers enough to share their addresses.
The book does not explain the rescue efforts, giving the impression that no real action was taken to save the hostages.
Captain was good,he had to touch hijackers feet many times to protect the passengers from their friendly hijackers.
It would have been better if the captain had left out the part where the chief cried for his terrorist brother. Humanising terrorists overlooks the pain of the victims and others affected. Yes, Osama was a father, son, and husband, just like other terrorists. If we start to sympathise with Kasab, what about the victims and the soldiers who lost their lives? We need to know when to show compassion. A soldier sacrifices himself to protect you, while a terrorist dies to take you along. We already glorified invaders, so let’s at least avoid glorifying terrorists.
●Autographs of the hijackers taken.
●Shawl was gifted to one passenger from Burger.
●Passengers wrote their addresses to one of the hijackers.
●Antakshari and Shayari.
●Sorry and thank you exchanged.
●And additionally,I saw a video of a woman who was remembering the hijackers with fondness and has kept the gift and autograph from a hijacker like a souvenir.
I strongly hold the government of that time responsible for forcing people to abandon their 'Hum sath sath hai' moments. Passengers seemed content with the hijackers, so why did India have to release three dangerous terrorists for their sake? They were happy.
Can’t a hijacker stab four people? Can’t a hijacker stab someone 13 times and leave them to die? Can't a hijacker wield a grenade and a revolver? Can’t a hijacker threaten to kill if you even move? At least they were friendly. So what if a bag of explosives was there to blow up the plane?
The hijackers insulted the Indian army, tried to convert people to Islam, and gave lectures on Islam. They stabbed a few and caused one death.But they were friendly.
Negotiations began with the release of over 30 terrorists and 800 crore rupees and settled at releasing 3 terrorists and letting the hijackers go. This seemed pointless since the passengers liked the hijackers enough to share their addresses.
The book does not explain the rescue efforts, giving the impression that no real action was taken to save the hostages.
Captain was good,he had to touch hijackers feet many times to protect the passengers from their friendly hijackers.
It would have been better if the captain had left out the part where the chief cried for his terrorist brother. Humanising terrorists overlooks the pain of the victims and others affected. Yes, Osama was a father, son, and husband, just like other terrorists. If we start to sympathise with Kasab, what about the victims and the soldiers who lost their lives? We need to know when to show compassion. A soldier sacrifices himself to protect you, while a terrorist dies to take you along. We already glorified invaders, so let’s at least avoid glorifying terrorists.
August 30, 2024
Make no mistakes about it – I am a patriot and have no reservations in proclaiming it on top of my voice. However the IC-814 saga was both an appalling goof up and a cover-up. As to whether the reprehensible lack of coordination between the agencies was more or the vacillation, bedlam, indecisiveness, knee jerk rejoinders, and utter slip-up was greater, it’s up to you to decide. I had just entered my college-life. I can never forget the scenes of the Taliban militia selling bottles of water to the hapless hostages of the fated airplane at very high price. The high-tech, gen-z security apparatus in India today would simply scorn at the manner in which the entire issue was handled. This book, penned by the brave pilot of that doomed flight makes you re-live the moments of the longest hijack in the history of Indian aviation. Most gripping. Recommended.
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October 8, 2020Does any one has copy of this book which I can buy/borrow from? If yes please let me know how I can get
February 13, 2025
Read this online in the Internet Archive, as otherwise hard to find these days.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews