What is hijacked?

Hijacking is a criminal act in which a person or group forcibly takes control of a vehicle, usually an airplane, ship, or bus, and uses it to carry out their demands or goals. Hijacking is usually carried out for political reasons, ransom, or publicity. The hijackers usually demand release of prisoners, supplies, and often use hostages as bargaining chips to achieve their goals.

The first recorded hijacking was in Mexico in 1931. Since then, hijackings have become increasingly common, particularly in the 1960s and 1970s, when many left-wing groups adopted hijacking as a tactic to further their political aims. In the past, hijackers used to negotiate with the authorities, but with increased security measures, real and potential hijack situations are now handled much more sternly.

Many countries have enacted laws to prevent hijacking, and security measures at airports, seaports, and other transportation hubs have been upgraded to reduce the risk of hijacking. Despite these measures, hijackings still occur, albeit less frequently than in the past. In recent years, hijackers have also targeted cargo ships for the purpose of piracy and theft.