The recent release of the Netflix series ‘IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack’ has sparked debate and controversy, with some accusing the show of giving a clean chit to Pakistan’s Inter-Services-Intelligence (ISI) in the 1999 hijacking incident. Amidst this controversy, former Indian high commissioner to Islamabad, Gopalaswami Parthasarathy, has come out strongly blaming Pakistan for the hijacking, asserting that al-Qaeda was not involved and the terrorists were Pakistani nationals.
In an interview with India Today, Parthasarathy stated, “It was totally Pakistani involvement. The terrorists involved were Pakistanis, the terrorists released were Pakistanis. There is no question of al Qaeda, that is the farthest thing to say.” His statement directly challenges the narrative presented in the Netflix series, which suggests a link between the hijackers and terrorists associated with Afghanistan and al-Qaeda.
Parthasarathy’s remarks add fuel to the fire of criticism directed at the series, which has been accused of downplaying Pakistan’s role in the hijacking. The IC 814 hijacking, which saw the hijackers demand the release of three Pakistani terrorists in exchange for the safe release of passengers, remains a sensitive and controversial event in India’s history. The controversy surrounding the Netflix series highlights the complexities and lingering questions surrounding the incident, raising further scrutiny over the role played by different actors involved.
