Archive · 7 Sep 2026
Pan Am Hijacking Sparks Dispute Over Pakistan’s Response
Terrorists took control of a Pan Am airplane at Karachi airport.
The hijacking caused many deaths and injuries.
Reports said 16 people were killed.
Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi questioned who was responsible and criticized Pakistan’s handling of the crisis.
Pan American said Pakistani airport security had failed.
United States President Ronald Reagan praised Pakistan for ending the incident.
Neerja Mishra, a flight purser from India, was reportedly killed before commandos entered the plane.
Her body was being sent to Bombay, and she was due to turn 23 on September 7.
A Pan Am jumbo jet was seized by terrorists at Karachi airport.
The latest reports cited 16 deaths and several injuries in the hijacking.
Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi criticized Pakistani authorities’ handling of the incident.
Pan American blamed Pakistani officials for airport security lapses, while President Ronald Reagan praised Islamabad’s response.
Indian flight purser Neerja Mishra was reportedly killed before Pakistani commandos entered the aircraft.
- Who
- Terrorists seized a Pan Am aircraft; Pakistani commandos responded; Rajiv Gandhi, Pan American officials, and Ronald Reagan commented on the incident.
- What
- A Pan Am jumbo jet was hijacked, leaving 16 people dead and several injured according to the latest reports.
- When
- September 7, 1986, according to the article’s date and headline.
- Where
- Karachi airport, Pakistan; Neerja Mishra was taken to Jinnah Hospital in Karachi.
- Why
- The aircraft was seized by terrorists, while the reported dispute concerned airport security failures and the Pakistani authorities’ handling of the hijacking.
Criticism of Pakistan
Praise for Pakistan
Airport security
Criticism of Pakistan
Pan American said Pakistani officials were responsible for security lapses that allowed terrorists to penetrate the airport perimeter.
Praise for Pakistan
President Ronald Reagan praised the Pakistani government for acting boldly and decisively to end the crisis.
Responsibility and handling
Criticism of Pakistan
Rajiv Gandhi criticized the Pakistani authorities’ ham-handed handling of the incident and noted that the hijackers were reportedly speaking Urdu.
Praise for Pakistan
The United States government applauded Islamabad’s resolve in handling the incident.
- Incident
- Hijacking of a Pan Am jumbo jet
- Location
- Karachi airport, Pakistan
- Reported deaths
- 16 people
- Other casualties
- Several people were injured
- Indian flight purser
- Neerja Mishra was reportedly killed before commandos entered the aircraft
- Airline’s position
- Pan American blamed Pakistani officials for allowing terrorists to penetrate the airport perimeter
- United States position
- President Ronald Reagan praised Pakistan’s response as bold, decisive, and exemplary