Neerja Bhanot

Neerja Bhanot was an Indian flight attendant who died during the hijacking of Pan Am Flight 73 in Karachi on 5 September 1986.

Neerja Bhanot was an Indian flight attendant who died in 1986 while helping passengers escape a hijacked plane. She is remembered for her extraordinary bravery and posthumously awarded the Ashoka Chakra, India's highest peacetime gallantry award.

What it is

Neerja Bhanot was a senior flight purser for Pan American World Airways. On 5 September 1986, she was working on Pan Am Flight 73 when it was hijacked in Karachi, Pakistan. She became known for her actions to protect passengers, including hiding passports and opening emergency exits, before being killed while shielding children.

Key details of the hijacking

The hijacking lasted 17 hours. Bhanot helped many passengers escape through emergency exits and concealed the passports of passengers who could be targeted by nationality. She was shot and killed while protecting children from gunfire. The hijackers were members of the Abu Nidal Organization.

Why it matters

Bhanot was the first woman to receive the Ashoka Chakra, India's highest peacetime gallantry award, and until 2003 was its youngest recipient. Her story is a symbol of civilian courage and selflessness, recognized in India, Pakistan, and the United States. It has been widely retold in books, journalism, and film.