Neerja Bhanot was a superhero and there is not the least doubt about it! When terrorists hijacked Pan Am Flight 73 in the year 1986 at Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport, she put her own life at risk for saving more than 350 passengers whom she did not even know. However, in the process of protecting others, not even once the thought of saving her own life first came into her mind.
The plane was furtively evacuated and cockpit crew left passengers at the hijackers’ mercy, Neerja too could have run away through the emergency exit but the brave girl preferred saving hundreds of other innocent passengers rather than saving merely herself. She died so that other could live…..
Dr. Kishore Murthy, a survivor from 1986 Pan Am hijack, came forward and recalled the terrifying incident with all the details when Neerja was shot dead by terrorists. “I saw her getting shot. She was shot in the head, point blank. Sitting in the sixth row from the front, I saw her during her last moments,” as stated by him. According to Dr. Murthy, she was a fearless lady who punched terrorism in face, though her own life was sacrificed during this.
In his words, “Neerja was absolutely calm and efficient through the horrific episode. She was the first one to alert the captain, the co-pilot and first officers about a possible hijack and it was on her instruction they made their way out from the cockpit, ensuring that the plane could not take off. She was a true global citizen and did not discriminate between Indians and Americans. I remember she and another flight attendant helped us out of the exit door when one of the terrorists was targeting us. There was constant firing of rounds. The auxiliary power unit had failed and the terrorists feared a commando attack. Hence, they started firing indiscriminately. She was very caring towards all the passengers, especially the elderly and children. I didn’t see her lose her cool for even a moment. She was very efficient during the crisis.”
What’s more, a crucial fact has been disclosed with regard to the demise of Neerja by Dr. Veena, wife of Dr. Murthy. As per her, Neerja did not die while saving 3 kids; “She was guiding the passengers to the emergency exit. That is when the terrorists were firing constantly fearing a commando attack. They saw Neerja relentlessly trying to help the passengers out and that is when they caught her by her ponytail and shot her point blank.”
True, the brave Indian daughter Neerja will always be remembered with huge respect!
