The hijacking of Indian Airlines flight IC814 in December 1999 remains one of the most harrowing episodes in aviation history. Among the 176 passengers on board, one man from Assam, Dr. Kalyan Bhuyan, endured this terrifying ordeal. In an exclusive interview, Aroonim Bhuyan, the son of Dr. Kalyan Bhuyan, recounts his father’s harrowing experience during the hijacking and the emotional journey their family endured.
The Hijacking of IC814: A Dark Chapter in Indian Aviation
On December 24, 1999, Indian Airlines flight IC814, en route from Kathmandu to New Delhi, was hijacked by five armed terrorists. The plane, carrying 176 passengers and crew, was diverted to multiple locations before finally landing in Kandahar, Afghanistan. The hijackers demanded the release of several terrorists imprisoned in India, leading to a week-long standoff that tested the resolve of the Indian government and plunged the families of the passengers into a state of unimaginable distress.
Dr. Kalyan Bhuyan, a distinguished academic from Assam, was one of the passengers on board the ill-fated flight IC814. His presence on the plane brought the crisis closer to home for many in Assam, who anxiously awaited news about his fate. During the hijacking, Dr. Bhuyan displayed remarkable courage and resilience, even as the hijackers issued threats and demanded compliance from the passengers and crew.
Aroonim Bhuyan’s Account: A Son’s Perspective
In an emotional interview, Aroonim Bhuyan shares his father’s ordeal and the impact it had on their family. Aroonim, who was a teenager at the time, recalls the sheer panic and fear that gripped their family when they learned of the hijacking.
“It was a nightmare. We were glued to the news, praying for the safety of my father and all the passengers on board”, Aroonim recounts. “The uncertainty and the helplessness were overwhelming. My father’s safety was all we could think about.”
Aroonim reveals that his father, Dr. Bhuyan, tried to maintain his composure and calm other passengers during the crisis. Despite the tension and fear inside the aircraft, Dr. Bhuyan remained strong and provided support to those around him. According to Aroonim, his father’s medical training helped him stay focused and assist passengers who were panicking or in need of medical attention.
“My father has always been a calm and composed person, and I believe his demeanor helped others stay calm”, Aroonim says. “He would often tell us about how he tried to keep everyone’s spirits up during those tense hours.”
After seven days of intense negotiations, the Indian government agreed to the hijackers’ demands, leading to the release of three militants in exchange for the hostages. The passengers and crew of IC814 were finally freed on December 31, 1999, bringing an end to the traumatic ordeal.
For the Bhuyan family, the relief was palpable but was tempered by the psychological scars left by the ordeal. Aroonim shares that his father returned a changed man, deeply affected by the experience but also grateful to have survived.
“He never spoke much about what happened inside the plane, but you could see it in his eyes—the pain and the fear”, Aroonim reflects. “But he was also incredibly grateful to be back home with us. It was a second chance at life.”
The hijacking of IC814 left an indelible mark on the nation, and for the people of Assam, the ordeal of Dr. Kalyan Bhuyan became a poignant reminder of the human cost of terrorism. The incident sparked conversations about aviation security, the need for better crisis management, and the importance of staying resilient in the face of adversity.
The story of Dr. Kalyan Bhuyan’s ordeal inside the hijacked IC814, as recounted by his son Aroonim Bhuyan, is a powerful testament to human resilience and courage. It highlights not only the personal struggles of those directly affected by such crises but also the broader impact on communities and nations. As we remember the events of December 1999, we are reminded of the strength of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable adversity.
