Why did ‘Kanishka’ plane crash come into discussion again after 41 years? Jaishankar reminded the world. S Jaishankar Remembers Kanishka Bombing Victims On 41st Anniversary

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday paid an emotional tribute to the victims of the bomb attack on Air India Flight 182 ‘Kanishka’ on the 41st anniversary of it. He made it clear that India is committed to fighting all types of terrorism.

Jaishankar wrote on social media platform X that New Delhi is resolute in its fight against terrorism. He said, “Today, on the 41st anniversary of the Air India 182 ‘Kanishka’ bombing, we honor the memory of those who lost their precious lives in this horrific terrorist incident. We reaffirm our commitment to combat terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.”

That terrible terrorist attack of 1985

This mid-air explosion on June 23, 1985 is one of the deadliest terrorist attacks in the history of world aviation. Its horror is compared to the 9/11 attacks of 2001. This Boeing 747 aircraft was on the Montreal-London-Delhi route. Canada-based Khalistani terrorist group Babbar Khalsa had blown it up at an altitude of 9,400 meters. All 329 passengers and crew members on board the plane were killed in this attack. The devastating explosion occurred while the plane was in Irish airspace, over the Atlantic Ocean.

Tribute is given every year

The incident was the largest mass killing in Canadian history, killing 329 people, including 268 Canadian citizens and 24 Indian citizens. In their memory, the High Commission of India in Ottawa and the Consulates General of India in Toronto and Vancouver pay homage every year on 23 June, together with the families of the deceased and the Indian diaspora. These events take place simultaneously in Ottawa, Toronto and Vancouver.

More than four decades later, India, Canada and Ireland still share the deep sorrow of the air tragedy that shocked the international community and forever changed air safety standards around the world.