Pakistan International Airlines Flight 544

Pakistan International Airlines Flight 544
AP-BCZ, the aircraft involved in the hijacking
Hijacking
Date25 May 1998
SummaryHijacking
Site
  • Gwadar, Balochistan
Aircraft
Aircraft typeFokker F-27
OperatorPakistan International Airlines
IATA flight No.PK544
ICAO flight No.PIA544
Call signPAKISTAN 544
RegistrationAP-BCZ
Flight originGwadar International Airport
Last stopoverTurbat Airport
DestinationHyderabad Airport
Passengers33
Crew5
Fatalities0
Injuries0
Survivors38

Pakistan International Airlines Flight 544 was a Pakistan International Airlines Fokker F27 which was hijacked on 25 May 1998, shortly after it took off from Gwadar International Airport, by three armed men belonging to Baloch Students Organization. The aircraft, with 33 passengers and 5 crew members aboard, had just arrived from Gwadar International Airport, Balochistan, and was set to land at Hyderabad Airport, Sindh. The hijackers demanded that the aircraft be flown to New Delhi, India. The Army's Special Service Group's Haideri Company, 7th Commando Zarrar Battalion, SSG Division, accompanied by members of the Pakistan Rangers, stormed the aircraft, while the Pakistan Police surrounded the plane. The operation concluded with all three hijackers arrested. There were no casualties among the passengers and the crew. The hijackers were tried in court and sentenced to death.