As the situation on the plane became increasingly dire, Neerja showed remarkable courage and presence of mind. She quickly assessed the situation and realized that the hijackers were not going to release the passengers easily. She decided to take matters into her own hands and began to secretly alert the passengers about the danger they were in.
In the aftermath of the hijacking, Neerja’s bravery and selflessness were widely recognized. She was posthumously awarded the Ashoka Chakra, India’s highest peacetime gallantry award, and the Medal of Valor, the highest award given by the United States government to a civilian. index of neerja
The hijacking lasted for 17 hours, during which time the hijackers killed one passenger, Robert Stethem, a 22-year-old American serviceman. Neerja was shot and injured while trying to help the passengers escape. She died shortly after arrival at the hospital. As the situation on the plane became increasingly
The hijackers, who were later identified as members of the Abu Nidal Organization, a Palestinian terrorist group, were extremely aggressive and violent. They threatened to kill the passengers and crew if their demands were not met. The plane was diverted to Karachi, where the hijackers began to release some of the passengers. In the aftermath of the hijacking, Neerja’s bravery