Quick Info
| Profession | Pilot |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Indian |
| Birthplace | Sawant, Karnal, Haryana |
| Date of Birth | 29/03/1962 |
| Age | 64 years |
Latest News about Devi Sharan
04/01/2025
Captain Devi Sharan retired from flying after a 40-year career with Air India, completing his final flight from Melbourne to Delhi aboard a Boeing 787 Dreamliner. Air India honored his extraordinary career and bravery during the 1999 IC 814 hijacking incident with a heartfelt tribute video titled 'The Sky Bows, The Runway Salutes The Captain of IC814'.
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Bio/Wiki
| Biography | Devi Sharan is a retired Indian aircraft pilot who was the captain of Indian Airlines Flight IC 814 when it was hijacked by the Harkat-ul-Mujahideen in December 1999. He joined Indian Airlines in 1986 and flew various aircraft including Boeing 737-200 and Airbus models throughout his career. In 2011, he operated an Airbus to Libya during Operation Safe Homecoming. He retired in January 2025 after a 40-year career with Air India, completing his final flight on 4 January 2025 from Melbourne to Delhi aboard a Boeing 787 Dreamliner. |
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Physical Stats & More
| Height | 5' 10" (178 cm) |
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| Eye Color | Black |
| Hair Color | Salt and Pepper |
Educational Qualification(s)
| Dyal Singh College, Delhi |
Relationships & More
| Marital Status | Married |
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Family
| Spouse | Navneet |
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| Children | 2 Daughters: Diksha Sharan, Ashna Sharan |
Career
| Awards | Air Safety Award from an American Organization (2000) |
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| Career Highlights | Devi Sharan gained national attention during the hijacking of Indian Airlines Flight IC 814 on 24 December 1999, where he skillfully managed the crisis while under duress from five hijackers. The flight carried approximately 179 passengers and 11 crew members. His leadership and quick thinking were pivotal in the negotiation process that followed, ultimately leading to the safe release of hostages. He completed a distinguished 40-year career with Indian Airlines and Air India, retiring at the mandatory age of 65. |
Some Lesser Known Facts
| 1. On 24 December 1999, Devi Sharan was the captain of the Indian Airlines Flight IC 814, which was hijacked shortly after takeoff from Kathmandu. | |
| 2. The flight was diverted multiple times under threat from the hijackers, including a request for refueling in Amritsar, Punjab. | |
| 3. After negotiating with the hijackers, the plane eventually landed in Dubai before continuing to Kandahar, where the Indian government negotiated the release of hostages. | |
| 4. In 2000, he co-authored a book titled 'Flight into Fear: The Captain’s Story', detailing the hijacking experience. | |
| 5. His experiences have inspired several films, including 'Zameen' (2003) and 'Hijack' (2008), as well as a recent mini-series on Netflix titled 'IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack'. | |
| 6. He co-authored a book titled 'Flight Into Fear', detailing the hijacking experience. | |
| 7. His experiences have inspired several films, including 'Zameen' (2003) and 'Hijack' (2008), as well as a Netflix mini-series titled 'IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack' released in 2024, with actor Vijay Varma portraying Sharan. | |
| 8. He was born in the village of Sawant, near Karnal in Haryana. |