Indian Airlines Hijacking Crisis: A Dramatic Journey

An Indian Airlines Airbus with 187 passengers was hijacked during its flight from Kathmandu to New Delhi. The plane changed routes multiple times, stopping in Amritsar, Lahore, and ultimately aiming for Dubai. Efforts are ongoing to ensure passenger safety, with high-level Indian officials engaging with UAE authorities.

A hijacked Indian Airlines Airbus carrying 187 passengers and crew experienced a dramatic journey after taking off from Kathmandu to New Delhi. The plane's flight was altered to Amritsar and Lahore, where reports indicated that four passengers were shot by the hijackers.

Mid-flight hijackers led the aircraft on an unprecedented course, causing it to halt for refueling in Amritsar before heading towards Lahore. The plane then sought to land in Kabul but was refused entry due to the lack of night-landing facilities, thereafter heading towards Dubai with limited fuel.

Union Civil Aviation Secretary Ravindra Gupta stated that intercepted communications confirmed the hijackers initially wanted to land in Kabul and Kandahar. Indian officials, including Home Minister L.K. Advani and External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh, are making efforts to ensure the safety of passengers, with Dubai authorities granting a landing permit late into the night.

(With inputs from agencies.)