On September 5, 1986, Pan Am Flight 73, a Boeing 747 departing from Mumbai (then Bombay) bound for New York, with stopovers in Karachi and Frankfurt, became the scene of one of the most intense episodes in civil aviation.
During a stopover at Jinnah International Airport in Karachi, Pakistan, four armed men, disguised as security agents and linked to the Abu Nidal Organization, stormed the aircraft, firing into the air and taking control.
With 379 passengers and crew on board, what began as a routine boarding process turned into a 17-hour standoff, marked by tension and unforgettable acts of bravery.
Neerja Bhanot, a senior flight attendant of only 22 years old, assumed leadership of the cabin crew after the crew escaped from the cockpit through an emergency hatch – a maneuver that immobilized the plane, preventing the hijackers from taking off. The hijackers, later identified as Zayd Hassan Abd al-Latif Safarini, Jamal Saeed Abdul Rahim, Muhammad Abdullah Khalil Hussain ar-Rahayyal, and Muhammad Ahmed Al-Munawar, demanded to be taken to Cyprus to free Allied prisoners. To pressure them, they executed an American passenger, Rajesh Kumar, and threatened to blow up the aircraft with everyone on board.
Realizing the imminent danger, Neerja and her colleagues acted shrewdly. When the hijackers ordered the collection of passports to identify nationalities – especially Americans, a priority target – the crew discreetly hid dozens of them under seats or in trash cans, complicating the hijackers' plans and protecting lives. This simple yet brilliant act prevented more passengers from being selected for execution.
As the hours dragged on, the situation escalated. When the emergency power failed and the cabin plunged into darkness, the hijackers, believing a rescue operation was underway, opened fire with machine guns and grenades. In the chaos, Neerja opened an emergency door, allowing for evacuation. She could have been the first to leave, but chose to stay, guiding passengers and prioritizing unaccompanied children. In a final act of selflessness, she positioned herself to shield three children from the gunfire, sacrificing her own life.
The toll was tragic: 21 passengers and crew members dead, including victims from India, the United Kingdom, Italy, Pakistan, and Mexico, and more than 150 injured. But Neerja's courage saved hundreds. The hijackers were captured by Pakistani authorities after running out of ammunition.
Her legacy was recognized with posthumous awards: the Ashok Chakra, India's highest peacetime bravery honor; the United States Special Courage Award; and two awards from Pakistan, the Tamgha-e-Pakistan and the Nishan-e-Pakistan.
One of the most touching stories comes from a survivor: a 7-year-old child rescued by Neerja, who years later became a captain for a major airline. He credits her with every day of his life, seeing her as an inspiration for his career in the skies. Neerja's life was immortalized in the film "Neerja" (2016), which highlights her journey from model and flight attendant to symbol of empathy and resilience.
Stories like this inspire us to value everyday heroism, showing that even in dark times, kindness can prevail. Neerja reminds us: true strength lies in prioritizing others.
https://m.stacker.news/130178