{"id":59466,"date":"2024-03-24T20:30:00","date_gmt":"2024-03-24T15:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/?p=59466"},"modified":"2024-03-24T19:06:34","modified_gmt":"2024-03-24T13:36:34","slug":"today-in-aviation-singapore-airlines-flight-117-hijacked-by-pakistani-terrorists","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/index.php\/2024\/03\/24\/today-in-aviation-singapore-airlines-flight-117-hijacked-by-pakistani-terrorists\/","title":{"rendered":"Today in Aviation: Singapore Airlines Flight 117 Hijacked by Pakistani Terrorists"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

SINGAPORE<\/strong>– Singapore Airlines (SQ) <\/a>Flight 117 experienced a hijacking en route by four Pakistani terrorists on March 26, 1991. Upon landing in Singapore, the hijackers, purporting to be members of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), demanded the release of Asif Ali Zardari, the husband of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, who later served as President of Pakistan, along with other PPP members held in prison.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In response to the unmet demands, the hijackers threatened to harm the hostages. However, before their deadline expired, commandos from the Special Operations Force (SOF) launched an operation, neutralizing the hijackers and liberating all hostages unharmed. This marked the sole instance of hijacking involving a Singapore Airlines aircraft.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo: By Ken Fielding\/https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/kenfielding, CC BY-SA 3.0, https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/w\/index.php?curid=32298568<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Singapore Airlines Flight 117 Hijack<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

An Airbus A310 <\/strong>aircraft bearing registration 9V-STP departed from Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport in Subang near Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, at 21:15 SST, carrying 114 passengers and 11 crew members. While en route to Singapore Changi Airport (SIN)<\/a>, the aircraft was hijacked by four individuals of Pakistani origin. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The hijackers were armed with explosives and knives but did not possess firearms. The plane safely landed at Changi Airport at 22:15, where officials from various ministries, including the Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Home Affairs, and Ministry of Information, Communications, and the Arts, alongside representatives from Singapore Airlines and a negotiation team, were present.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The hijackers, purporting to be members of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), demanded the release of Asif Ali Zardari, the spouse of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto (later elected President of Pakistan), along with other PPP members incarcerated in jail. Additionally, the hijackers insisted on refueling the aircraft to facilitate a flight to Australia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the following morning, March 27, at 02:30, the hijackers forcibly ejected two male flight attendants, flight steward Bernard Tan and chief steward Philip Cheong, from the aircraft after it was relocated to the outer tarmac.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At 06:45, the hijackers issued a final ultimatum, threatening to execute one passenger every ten minutes if their demands were not met. With three minutes remaining, authorities authorized the initiation of an assault. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although the hijack leader sustained five gunshot wounds to the chest, he remained alive momentarily and attempted to ignite his explosive device. However, he was promptly shot dead by a commando before carrying out the act. The plane was fully secured by 06:50.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo: By Aero Icarus from Z\u00fcrich, Switzerland – 75ag – Singapore Airlines Airbus A310-324; 9V-STS@CNS;06.10.1999, CC BY-SA 2.0, https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/w\/index.php?curid=26641834<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Operation Thunderbolt<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Singapore was lauded internationally for its swift response in managing the incident. Former Prime Minister of Singapore, Goh Chok Tong, praised everyone involved in handling the crisis and executing the rescue mission for their quick action and effectiveness. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Captain Stanley Lim, the flight’s pilot, and Superintendent Foo Kia Juah, the chief police negotiator, received the Public Service Star for their contributions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The SAF Commando Formation members were honored with the Medal for Valor, while other negotiation team members received the President’s Certificates of Commendation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As of November 15, 2023, Singapore Airlines continues to operate Flight Number 117 between Kuala Lumpur (KUL) <\/a>and Singapore, alternating between Boeing 737-800 and Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft. (Previously, Flight 117 operated Airbus A330-300 and A350-900 on this route) with exceptions on Saturdays and Sundays<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stay tuned with us. Further, follow us on social media for the latest updates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Join us on Telegram Group <\/a>for the Latest Aviation Updates. Subsequently, follow us on Google News<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Singapore Airlines A350 Blunder Restore Pitot Probe Cover in Spotlight<\/a><\/blockquote>