Archive · 8 Sep 2026
Pan Am Hijacking Aftermath Brings Dead and Injured to Bombay
A Pan Am airplane had been hijacked at Karachi airport.
After the rescue operation, an Indian Airlines plane brought survivors and six bodies to Bombay.
The plane carried 96 passengers.
Many relatives were still worried because some names were missing from the official list.
Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi said Pakistan handled the rescue badly.
He also said President Ziaul Haq told him the hijackers spoke Urdu and Arabic.
The United States did not blame a particular group or government.
It nevertheless prepared naval forces in case President Ronald Reagan ordered a response.
An Indian Airlines relief plane arrived in Bombay with 96 passengers and six bodies after the Pan Am hijacking drama ended at Karachi airport.
Bedlam broke out at the arrival terminal as anxious relatives sought information about passengers missing from the official list.
Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi maintained that Pakistan had badly mishandled the rescue operation.
Gandhi said Pakistan’s President Ziaul Haq told him the hijackers spoke Urdu and Arabic.
The United States declined to link the hijacking to a specific group or government but moved a navy battle group toward the central Mediterranean.
- Who
- Pan Am passengers and crew, the hijackers, Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, President Ziaul Haq, and the United States administration.
- What
- The aftermath of the Pan Am Flight 073 hijacking included the arrival of survivors and six bodies, criticism of Pakistan’s rescue operation, and possible U.S. military preparations.
- When
- September 8, 1986.
- Where
- The hijacking ended at Karachi airport; survivors and bodies arrived in Bombay, and a U.S. navy battle group was positioned toward the central Mediterranean.
- Why
- The developments followed the hijacking and rescue of Pan Am Flight 073; the United States prepared for a possible retaliatory decision, while the Non-Aligned Movement addressed support for African states opposing apartheid.
Indian criticism and account
U.S. non-attribution and military caution
Responsibility and rescue handling
Indian criticism and account
Rajiv Gandhi said Pakistan had badly bungled the rescue operation and reported that Ziaul Haq told him the hijackers spoke Urdu and Arabic.
U.S. non-attribution and military caution
The U.S. administration said it had not linked the hijacking to any specific group or government, while preparing forces in case President Ronald Reagan chose to retaliate.
- Flight
- Pan Am Flight 073
- Arrivals
- 96 passengers and six bodies reached Bombay on an Indian Airlines relief plane.
- Hijacking location
- Karachi airport
- Indian criticism
- Rajiv Gandhi said Pakistan had badly bungled the rescue operation.
- U.S. position
- The U.S. administration said it had not linked the hijacking with any specific group or government.
- Naval movement
- The aircraft carrier USS John F. Kennedy and escorting warships were expected to sail eastward from Spain toward the central Mediterranean.
- Non-Aligned Movement
- Leaders agreed on measures to support frontline African states in their struggle against apartheid and established a fund chaired by Rajiv Gandhi.