On Friday, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar shared a personal connection to the issue of hijackings during a community event in Geneva. Reflecting on the recently released Netflix series "IC-814: The Kandahar Hijack," Jaishankar revealed that his father was aboard a hijacked flight in 1984, giving him a unique perspective from both sides of such crises.

Jaishankar recounted how, as a young officer in 1984, he was involved in managing a hijacking situation while simultaneously dealing with the personal anxiety of his family. He had called his mother to explain why he couldn't come home to care for his young son, only to discover that his father was on the hijacked flight, which was diverted to Dubai.

The Indian Airlines flight, hijacked from Pathankot on July 5, 1984, was eventually resolved after more than 36 hours when the hijackers, who were pro-Khalistani extremists, surrendered in Dubai, releasing all passengers and crew unharmed.

Jaishankar, who was part of the response team during the crisis, noted his dual role as both a government official and a family member seeking updates. His father, K. Subrahmanyam, an IAS officer and strategic commentator, was among those affected.

In discussing the Netflix series, Jaishankar pointed out that media portrayals often emphasize dramatic elements, sometimes casting governments in a negative light. He humorously acknowledged that while films may not always reflect the reality of such situations, they are crafted to entertain, which often means making governments look less favorable.

Jaishankar’s comments underscored his unique insight into the complexities of handling high-stress situations from both a professional and personal viewpoint.