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DATE=12/25/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=PLANE HIJACKING (L-4TH UPDATE)
NUMBER=2-257493
BYLINE=AYAZ GUL
DATELINE=ISLAMABAD
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO:  The hijackers of an Indian airliner are 
negotiating with officials of the Taleban movement in 
Afghanistan, where the plane has been on the ground 
overnight.  Among other things, the hijackers are said 
to be demanding that India release a Kashmiri 
separatist leader and several others being held in 
India.  The hijack drama began on Friday, and there 
are more than 160 people on board the plane, which is 
at an airfield near the southern Afghan city of 
Kandahar.  From neighboring Pakistan, Ayaz Gul has 
more details.
TEXT:  Taleban movement officials say two of its 
officials have held talks with the hijackers for the 
first time since the plane landed in southern 
Afghanistan.
The officials say the hijackers have threatened to 
blow up the plane if India does not go along with 
their demands.  They say the Taleban has asked the 
United Nations to negotiate with the hijackers to end 
the hostage situation.
Taleban Foreign Minister Wakil Ahmed says he is not 
sure of the nationality of the hijackers but he says 
they looked as if they could be Kashmiri.
Muslim separatist groups have been waging a war 
against the Indian rule in two-thirds of Kashmir 
region under New Delhi's control.  These groups are 
demanding either outright independence for Kashmir, or 
union with Pakistan, which controls the rest of the 
mountainous region.
The Indian Airlines plane, carrying more than 160 
people, landed at Kandahar's airfield after leaving a 
military airport in the United Arab Emirates near 
Dubai.  Before the plane left for Afghanistan, the 
hijackers released 27 hostages - mostly women and 
children.  At least one body has been turned over to 
authorities.
Taleban officials say security forces are surrounding 
the aircraft.  They say the plane was allowed to land 
in Afghanistan at the request of Indian officials, who 
said the pilot was exhausted and needed rest.
The aircraft was flying from Katmandu, Nepal to New 
Delhi when it was hijacked on Friday.  It flew on to 
Amritsar in India and Lahore, Pakistan before going on 
to Dubai. (SIGNED)
NEB/AG/JP
25-Dec-1999 11:45 AM EDT (25-Dec-1999 1645 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.