Narrative:Prior to reaching Peshawar, the hijackers reported to be armed with pistols and explosives required that the aircraft divert to Kabul. Afghanistan.
They claimed to belong to a group opposed to the current Pakistan government and they demanded the release of a large number of persons being held by the Pakistani government. They threatened to blow up the plane and/or shoot the passengers if their demands were not met. Over the next several days some of the passengers were released and one male passenger was shot and thrown off the aircraft. He died later. On March 8, the aircraft flew to Damascus. Syria. Several deadlines were set and passed without incident or were extended. The hijackers more than once changed their demands as to the number of persons they wanted released.
Finally they settled on 55 and Pakistan agreed when the hijackers threatened to shoot the U.S. citizens aboard. On March 14 after the Libyans refused to allow them to land 54 of the 55 were flown to Syria. The hijackers then surrendered. This hijacking lasted
approximately 12 days and 10 hours, the longest to date.
Classification:
Hijack
Sources:
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History of PIA
Photos
Map
This map shows the airport of departure and the intended destination of the flight. The line between the airports does
not display the exact flight path.
Distance from Karachi International Airport to Peshawar Airport as the crow flies is 1088 km (680 miles).
This information is not presented as the Flight Safety Foundation or the Aviation Safety Network’s opinion as to the cause of the accident. It is preliminary and is based on the facts as they are known at this time.