IC-814 hijack: Key conspirator Mehrajuddin Dand arrested in Kishtwar district

In a major breakthrough, the Jammu and Kashmir Police has arrested a terror suspect, Mehrajuddin Dand, who allegedly provided logistical support for the hijacking of IC-814 in 1999. He allegedly provided travel papers to IC-814 hijackers.

NIA officials are expected to go to Jammu and Kashmir to question Dand soon.

The alleged terrorist, who is linked to various terror activities including blasts across the country, was arrested in the Kishtwar district.

Dand was also allegedly involved in the 1996 Lajpat Nagar blasts in Delhi. Police say Mehrajuddin is a close associate of United Jihad Council chief Syed Salahuddin and underworld don Dawood Ibrahim.

Mehrajuddin, who used to live in Nepal, had hideouts across India.

The arrested terror suspect is believed to be an ISI operative whose name also figures in India’s 20 most wanted fugitives list to Pakistan.

The Jammu and Kashmir police says Mehrajuddin is the biggest catch in 25 years.

The Indian Airlines plane IC-814 was hijacked on December 24, 1999 by the terrorists when it was near Lucknow. It was taken to Amritsar for fuelling. It was then taken to Kandahar where passengers and crew remained captive for more than eight days.

One person, Rupin Katyal, was killed by the terrorists in the Delhi-bound flight from Kathmandu.