1985 Terrorism & Security Events — Verified Historical Highlights
1985 Terrorism & Security Events — Verified Historical Highlights | TakeMeBack.to
- 08 Mar Beirut car bombing targeting Islamic cleric kills 80: On March 8, 1985, a car bomb exploded near the residence of Shia cleric Sayyed Mohammad Hussein Fadlallah in Beirut's Bir al-Abed suburb. The blast killed 80 people and injured approximately 200, mostly civilians. Fadlallah survived the attack, as he was attending Friday prayers at a nearby mosque. The bombing destroyed two seven-story apartment buildings and a cinema. While some Lebanese politicians blamed Israel, Hezbollah accused the CIA of orchestrating the attack. The U.S. government denied involvement, stating that those responsible were Lebanese intelligence personnel undergoing CIA training but acting without authorization. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 12 Apr El Descanso bombing in Madrid, Spain: On April 12, 1985, a bomb exploded at the El Descanso restaurant in Madrid, causing the three-story building to collapse. The attack resulted in 18 fatalities and 82 injuries, including 11 Americans from the nearby Torrejón Air Base. The Islamic Jihad Organization claimed responsibility for the bombing, marking it as the first Islamist attack in Spain. source: washingtonpost.com
- 21 Apr The Covenant, the Sword, and the Arm of the Lord surrender to federal authorities: On April 21, 1985, after a four-day siege, members of the white supremacist group The Covenant, the Sword, and the Arm of the Lord (CSA) surrendered to federal authorities in Arkansas. The group, led by James Ellison, had been under investigation for weapons violations and terrorist activities. The peaceful resolution of the standoff marked the dissolution of the CSA. source: britannica.com
- 01 May CCC bombing in Brussels kills two firefighters: On May 1, 1985, the Communist Combatant Cells (CCC) detonated a car bomb outside the Federation of Belgian Enterprises building in Brussels. The explosion killed two firefighters and injured 13 others. The CCC, a far-left terrorist group active in the mid-1980s, claimed responsibility for the attack, marking it as part of their campaign against perceived enemies of communism. source: upi.com
- 11 May Sikh separatists carry out deadly bombings in India: On May 10-11, 1985, Sikh separatist guerrillas orchestrated a series of bombings in New Delhi and neighboring states, resulting in at least 86 deaths and over 100 injuries. The attacks involved booby-trapped transistor radios placed in public transportation hubs, including bus terminals and train stations. The bombings were part of a broader campaign by Sikh extremists to disrupt the Indian government's efforts to negotiate increased autonomy for Punjab. source: washingtonpost.com
- 09 Jun Thomas Sutherland kidnapped in Lebanon: On June 9, 1985, Thomas Sutherland, the dean of agriculture at the American University of Beirut, was abducted by gunmen near his Beirut home. The Islamic Jihad Organization claimed responsibility for the kidnapping. Sutherland was released on November 18, 1991, after being held hostage for over six years. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 14 Jun TWA Flight 847 hijacked by terrorists: On June 14, 1985, TWA Flight 847, en route from Cairo to San Diego with stops in Athens, Rome, Boston, and Los Angeles, was hijacked shortly after takeoff from Athens. The hijackers, members of Hezbollah, held 153 passengers and crew hostage for 17 days, demanding the release of Lebanese prisoners held by Israel. During the ordeal, U.S. Navy diver Robert Stethem was killed. The last hostages were released on June 30, 1985. source: fbi.gov
- 20 Jun 1985 Nepal bombings: On June 20, 1985, a series of coordinated bombings occurred in Kathmandu and other cities across Nepal, marking the first such attacks in the country. At least eight people were killed, including a Member of Parliament, and several others were injured. The Nepal Janabadi Morcha, an exiled political group, claimed responsibility for the bombings. In response, the government conducted mass arrests, with some 1,400 people detained, and enacted the Destructive Crimes (Special Control and Punishment) Act. The bombings also led to the cancellation of a civil disobedience campaign by the Nepali Congress Party. source: washingtonpost.com
- 23 Jun Air India Flight 182 bombing over the Atlantic Ocean: On June 23, 1985, Air India Flight 182, a Boeing 747-237B named Emperor Kanishka, was destroyed by a bomb planted by Sikh extremists from the Babbar Khalsa. The aircraft was en route from Montreal to London, with a final destination of Mumbai, India. The explosion occurred over the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Ireland, resulting in the deaths of all 329 people on board, including 268 Canadians, 27 British citizens, and 22 Indian citizens. This remains the deadliest terrorist attack in Canadian history and was the world's deadliest act of aviation terrorism until the September 11 attacks in 2001. source: britannica.com
- 24 Jun Air India Flight 182 bombing incident: On June 24, 1985, Air India Flight 182 was bombed in mid-air, resulting in the deaths of all 329 people on board. The bombing, attributed to Sikh extremists, was one of the deadliest terrorist attacks in aviation history. The incident highlighted issues of terrorism and security in aviation, leading to significant changes in international air travel regulations. source: bbc.com
- 30 Jun TWA Flight 847 hostage crisis ends: On June 30, 1985, the 17-day hostage crisis involving TWA Flight 847 concluded when the remaining 39 hostages were released in Beirut, Lebanon. The hijackers, members of Hezbollah, had seized the flight on June 14, demanding the release of Lebanese prisoners held by Israel. The ordeal resulted in the death of U.S. Navy diver Robert Stethem and the release of 735 Lebanese Shiite militants by Israel in the following weeks. source: washingtonpost.com
- 20 Aug Israel facilitates U.S. arms transfer to Iran: On August 20, 1985, Israel, through intermediaries including arms dealer Yaakov Nimrodi and financier Adnan Khashoggi, transferred 96 U.S.-made TOW anti-tank missiles to Iran via chartered aircraft. This operation was part of a covert effort to secure the release of American hostages held in Lebanon. The initial shipment did not result in the release of any hostages, although further shipments were made in subsequent months. source: cia.gov
- 01 Oct Israeli Air Force bombing of PLO headquarters in Tunis: On October 1, 1985, Israel conducted Operation Wooden Leg, a long-range airstrike targeting the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) headquarters in Hammam Chott, near Tunis, Tunisia. The operation involved eight F-15 fighter jets, which flew over 2,000 kilometers, refueling mid-flight, to destroy the PLO complex. The attack resulted in the deaths of between 47 and 71 people, including Palestinians and Tunisians, and injured between 65 and 100 others. Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat narrowly escaped the attack, as he was not present at the time. The strike was in retaliation for the killing of three Israelis in Cyprus by a PLO faction. The United Nations Security Council condemned the attack as a violation of Tunisia's sovereignty and international law. source: washingtonpost.com
- 07 Oct Achille Lauro hijacking: On October 7, 1985, four members of the Palestinian Liberation Front hijacked the Italian cruise ship Achille Lauro in the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Egypt. The hijackers took 748 passengers and crew hostage, demanding the release of 50 Palestinian prisoners held in Israel. During the ordeal, they killed Leon Klinghoffer, a 69-year-old American Jewish passenger, and threw his body overboard. The hijacking ended on October 10 when the hijackers surrendered in exchange for safe passage. source: britannica.com
- 08 Oct Achille Lauro hijacking: Leon Klinghoffer murdered: On October 8, 1985, during the hijacking of the Italian cruise ship Achille Lauro by four members of the Palestinian Liberation Front, 69-year-old American passenger Leon Klinghoffer was shot and killed. The hijackers, posing as passengers, seized control of the ship off the coast of Egypt, demanding the release of Palestinian prisoners held in Israel. After being denied entry to Syria and Cyprus, they returned to Egypt, where they released the remaining hostages in exchange for safe passage. The murder of Klinghoffer, a wheelchair-bound Jewish-American, drew international outrage and led to a U.S. military operation to apprehend the perpetrators. The hijackers were eventually captured and tried in Italy. source: britannica.com
- 07 Nov Colombian Palace of Justice siege ends after 27-hour assault: On November 6, 1985, the M-19 guerrilla group stormed Colombia's Palace of Justice in Bogotá, taking approximately 350 hostages, including Supreme Court justices. The Colombian military launched a 27-hour operation to retake the building, culminating in a final assault on November 7. The operation resulted in over 100 deaths, including 11 Supreme Court justices, and the destruction of the building by fire. source: latimes.com
- 23 Nov EgyptAir Flight 648 hijacking and commando raid: On November 23, 1985, EgyptAir Flight 648 was hijacked by members of the Abu Nidal Organization. The aircraft, en route from Athens to Cairo, was diverted to Malta, where a commando raid by Egyptian forces resulted in the rescue of hostages but also led to casualties. The incident highlighted the complexities of international terrorism and counter-terrorism efforts during that era. source: britannica.com
- 11 Dec First Unabomber murder in Sacramento: On December 11, 1985, the Unabomber's first fatal bombing occurred in Sacramento, California. Hugh Scrutton, the owner of RenTech Computer Rentals, was killed when a bomb disguised as a piece of scrap lumber exploded in the parking lot behind his store. This marked the first death attributed to the Unabomber, who had previously targeted universities and airlines. source: law.cornell.edu
- 27 Dec Terrorist attack on El Al airports in Rome and Vienna: On December 27, 1985, coordinated terrorist attacks occurred at El Al airports in Rome and Vienna. The attacks were carried out by members of the Abu Nidal Organization, resulting in multiple casualties and injuries. The incidents highlighted the ongoing threat of international terrorism during that period. source: britannica.com
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