January 4, 2000

U.S. Declines to Criticize India for releasing Muslims over Highjacking
Monday, January 03, 2000 5:37 PM EST
WASHINGTON,January 3 (Xinhua)-- The United States Monday declined to criticize India's decision to release three Muslim prisoners for swapping freedom of 155 passengers who were held captive aboard an Indian Airlines flight.

Pilot: Hijackers Were To Blow Up Jet
Monday, January 03, 2000 3:19 PM EST
NEW DELHI, India (AP) -- A flight attendant had just brought Captain Devi Saran a cup of tea 40 minutes after takeoff from Katmandu, Nepal, when a man wearing a ski mask burst into the cockpit, armed with a grenade and revolver.

YANK RELIVES TERROR ON HIJACK JET
NYPOST.COM
By LINDA MASSARELLA
Asked to spell "coffin."
The only American held hostage during the hijacking crisis in Afghanistan said she was sure her life was over when one of the terrorists asked her to spell the word "coffin."

Taliban not bound to disclose hijackers destination: envoy
ISLAMABAD (NNI): A senior Taliban diplomat Monday said Taliban are not bound to disclose the whereabouts of the hijackers of the Indian airliner under an agreement reached among Taliban, Indian negotiators and hijackers.

Arrest of hijackers difficult with no details available: FO
ISLAMABAD (NNI): Pakistan Monday said arrest of the hijackers of the Indian plane would be difficult as the Indian government has so far given no details as to the profiles of the hijackers.

Hijackers are in Quetta, Jaswant
ISLAMABAD (NNI): The Indian External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh has claimed that the hijackers of the Indian plane are in or around Quetta.