• Source:JND
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Rachna Katyal's life was forever altered by the harrowing 1999 IC814 hijacking, a traumatic event that occurred just 21 days into her marriage. She and her husband, Rupin Katyal, a 25-year-old entrepreneur, were returning from their dreamy honeymoon in Nepal, eager to start their new life together. Tragically, their joy was short-lived, as the Indian Airlines flight they boarded was hijacked, turning their blissful journey into a never-ending nightmare.

Rachna, merely 21 years old at the time, was sitting alongside her beloved husband, Rupin, when the flight was taken over by terrorists. The hijackers, driven by a sinister agenda, demanded the release of three militants held in Indian prisons, threatening to kill the innocent passengers if their demands were not met. The young couple, who had just embarked on their journey together, found themselves in the midst of a terrifying ordeal, fighting for survival and clinging to each other in desperation.

As the hijacking unfolded, Rachna's world was shattered, leaving her to confront the darkest moments of her life.

What happened on the day of IC 814 hijacking?

On the first day of hijacking, the terrorists forcibly separated the men from the women on the flight, tearing Rupin away from Rachna's side. Unbeknownst to her, this separation would be the last time she saw her beloved husband alive. The terrorists, in a heinous attempt, brutally murdered Rupin, leaving Rachna oblivious to the horrific fate that had befallen her partner.

The truth, when it finally reached Rachna, shattered her life into a million pieces. The news of Rupin's tragic demise shook her to the core, leaving her to grapple with an unbearable sense of loss, grief, and trauma.

What happened to Rachna Katyal after Rupin’s death?

According to Money Control, Rachna talked about how her in-laws supported her during this tough phase. She said in an interview, “Today they are dearer to me than anyone else and we have, in a way, come closer because of the immense tragedy we have shared. Our grief cannot be assuaged. My in-laws have accepted the fact that their son is no more and they have now devoted their life to my welfare. They say, ‘All we have is Rachna and she is our daughter now and we have to rebuild her life’.”

Rachna credited her father-in-law, Chander Mohan Katyal, with encouraging her to embrace a new chapter in her life. He persuaded her to consider remarrying, giving herself a second chance at happiness. Rachna acknowledged his wisdom, saying, "It was my father-in-law who realised I couldn't spend the rest of my life in mourning and encouraged me to move forward."

IC 814 The Kandahar Hijack On OTT

Currently streaming on Netflix, IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack is a gripping 2024 Indian crime thriller mini-series, directed by Anubhav Sinha and written by Adrian Levy and Trishant Srivastava. The show is based on the real-life hijacking of Indian Airlines Flight 814 in 1999. Produced by Sarita Patil and Sanjay Routray under Matchbox Shots and Benaras Mediaworks, the series boasts an impressive ensemble cast, including Vijay Varma, Naseeruddin Shah, Pankaj Kapur, Dia Mirza, and Arvind Swamy, who bring this intense and thrilling story to life.

ALSO READ: IC 814: Real-Life Survivors Admit Two Hijackers Were Code-Named ‘Bhola’ And ‘Shankar’; Support Netflix For Showcasing Truth