The Hijack Podcast with Owen Bennett-Jones cover art

The Hijack

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The Hijack

By: Owen Bennett-Jones, India Rakusen
Narrated by: Owen Bennett-Jones
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About this listen

 In 1981, PK326 was on a routine domestic flight from Karachi, Pakistan when it was hijacked and diverted to Afghanistan. The 148 passengers were then held at gunpoint for 13 days in what turned into one of the longest hijackings in history. The hijackers claimed to be fighting for democracy and demanded the release of political prisoners. But when Pakistan’s Military dictator General Zia refused, the killing began.

Veteran journalist Owen Bennett-Jones investigates what happened inside the plane, who the hijackers were really working for, and digs deep into the political crisis in Pakistan that led to the hijacking.

This series contains some strong language and scenes that some listeners may find disturbing.

©2021 Audible Originals, LLC (P)2021 Audible Originals, LLC Abductions, Kidnapping & Missing Persons True Crime
Episodes
  • Episode 1

    Episode 1
    May 20 2021
    A routine domestic flight preparing for take-off, a broken metal detector, and three nervous men rushing to the departure date.
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    25 mins
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  • Episode 2

    Episode 2
    May 20 2021
    The plane is on Soviet soil surrounded by tanks and guns. But whose side are the authorities on, the passengers or the hijackers?
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    28 mins
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  • Episode 3

    Episode 3
    May 20 2021
    The hijackers’ demands, the political prisoners and the fight for democracy.
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    29 mins
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All stars
Most relevant  
I wouldn't have identified this as something for me, but my partner fancied listening to it on a long drive. It was a thrilling listen and we could hardly bear to interrupt it when our journey ended. The story of the hijack is central of course, but it is beautifully contextualised within the politics of the Middle East, and also considers the implications of a traumatic event for survivors over many years. The author is a clear and and absorbing narrator.

Utterly absorbing, full of surprises

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Owen Bennett-Jones does a great job: Bravo. Please do more of these podcasts, this is great journalism 👏👏👏

Brilliant

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excellent audio series. learned so much of Pakistan history around the high jack incident.

excellent

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Very emotional and heartbreaking story. Not for everyone. I feel sorry for all the people involved

Terrifying story

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An excellent account written and narrated by none other than Owen Bennett- Jones. This will be great history book for generations to come.

One of the best factual account narrated 👍

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A really interesting read, great narration and really piqued my interest on other podcasts by Owen Bennett Jones and his research over the years. listened to the Hijack in a morning and then the Assassination. Sad how many of the hostages are still affected by their time on this plane. Not sure how I feel that one if the hijackers now wants asylum in Europe.

Gripping

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This gripping account was told in a clear and engaging way ,informing the listener of the background to the hijack and the hijack itself. Owen Bennett-Jones is a fantastic journalist who has an encyclopedic knowledge of the politics of Pakistan. (listen to Assassination on the BBC) and this is a brilliant piece of work. Gripping from the start. Highly recommended.

Gripping.

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Great journalism and brave people involved recounting what happened. Will hope to find more similar podcasts

Superb

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Really compelling story brilliantly told. This was basically a tragedy from every perspective, and the real beauty of the series as presented in the Audible production is that the story tries to give at least a hint of all those perspectives. So we hear from victims, participants, and those whose lives were touched by the hijack some 40 years later. Highly recommended.

Outstanding Series

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I wasn't expecting this.
I wasn't expecting interviews with the hijackers, to feel empathy and compassion for them.
I wasn't expecting that talking about the hijacking 40 years on would still cause grief and anguish for those involved and their loved ones
Stunning piece of work.

Mind blowing

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