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History of PIA - Pakistan International Airlines

Date: March 02, 1978

Aircraft Type: Boeing 747-282B

Registration: AP-AYV

Crew: 11 on board  (Cockpit crew list is at the bottom of this page)

Passengers: 250 on board

Total on board: 261

Number of hijackers: 1

Victims: 0

Flight: Islamabad - Karachi

Flight number: PK-301

Description: Flight PK-301 departed from Islamabad at 10:50 AM. About 15 minutes after takeoff a passenger - later identified as Said Hussain - sitting in economy class stood up with a live grenade in his hand and announced that he's going to enter the cockpit to ask pilot to divert flight to New Delhi, India, and ordered passengers not to move. As he turned and took steps towards the cockpit a passenger - retired Pakistan Army Lance Naik Abdul Malik - got up and grabbed the hijacker from behind. In the ensuing scuffle the live grenade in hijacker's hand exploded tearing it away from wrist. The flying splinters also injured Malik and two other passengers - Israr Ahmed and Sardar Atique - sitting near the scene.

PIA Boeing 747-282B

Boeing 747-282B  (Abbas Ali Collection)

AP-AYV cabin area where Lance Naik (Retd) Abdul Malik grabbed hijacker Said Hussain

Although aircraft cabin fittings were damaged at the place of grenade explosion but luckily the aircraft did not suffer any structural damage.

PIA Boeing 747-282B

Boeing 747-282B  (Abbas Ali Collection)

AP-AYV cabin interior damaged by grenade explosion

The jumbo jetliner safely returned to Islamabad Airport where injured hijacker and passengers were removed from the aircraft and rushed to Combined Military Hospital (CMH) in Rawalpindi.

PIA Boeing 747-282B

Boeing 747-282B  (Abbas Ali Collection)

AP-AYV after safely returning to Islamabad Airport

PIA Boeing 747-282B

Boeing 747-282B  (Abbas Ali Collection)

AP-AYV after safely returning to Islamabad Airport

After undergoing thorough inspection at Islamabad Airport, the Boeing 747 was declared airworthy and allowed to resume its journey to Karachi. The aircraft left Islamabad at 3:00 PM for Karachi.

PIA Boeing 747-282B

Boeing 747-282B  (Abbas Ali Collection)

AP-AYV getting ready to resume its journey from Islamabad to Karachi as flight PK-301 after removal of the hijacker

Chief of the Army Staff and Chief Martial Law Administrator General Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq visited injured Abdul Malik at CHM and congratulated him for successfully foiling the hijack attempt. General Zia announced "Nishan-e-Shujaat" to Abdul Malik for his heroism and exemplary courage in extremely dangerous circumstances. "Nishan-e-Shujaat" also carried 20,000 Pakistan Rupees cash award. In addition, General Zia also announced 50,000 Pakistan Rupees cash for the brave ex-serviceman.

Lance Naik (Retd) Abdul Malik

Lance Naik (Retd) Abdul Malik  (Abbas Ali Collection)

Chief of the Army Staff and Chief Martial Law Administrator General Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq talking to injured Lance Naik (Retd) Abdul Malik at Combined Military Hospital (CMH), Rawalpindi, on March 2, 1978

Chairman PIA Air Marshal (Retd) Malik Nur Khan announced a life stipend of Pakistan Rupees 2,000 per month and travel facilities as enjoyed by PIA employees for Abdul Malik.

Cockpit crew of hijacked PIA Boeing 747-282B (registration AP-AYV):

Cockpit Crew:
Captain Khusro Nawaz Khan
First Officer Hassan Jaffery
Flight Engineer Khawaja Naseem Ahmed



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