Operation Fire Magic: Special Forces Take Down Lufthansa Plane Hijackers

Operation Fire Magic, a daring rescue mission executed by Germany's GSG 9 Special Forces, became a watershed moment in counter-terrorism history. On October 13, 1977, four Palestinian hijackers held captive 86 passengers and crew members aboard a Lufthansa Boeing 737 aircraft, demanding the release of eleven Red Army Faction prisoners. After tense negotiations and failed attempts to storm the plane, the GSG 9 breached the aircraft with explosive charges, killing three of the hijackers and capturing the fourth. The rescue operation, which was meticulously planned and flawlessly executed, became a testament to the capabilities and precision of elite special forces units, setting a new standard for counter-terrorism tactics and demonstrating the unwavering determination to protect innocent lives.