Series of Real-time Emergencynet News Reports Concerning the Skyjacking of 
Indian Air Flight 814 - 24 Dec 99 to 04 Jan 2000 

ERRI WEEKLY SUMMARY OF INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM-ERRI Risk Assessment Services-Tuesday, January 4, 2000

Air India Flight 814 Hijacking -- Special Edition

By Jeremy Zakis, ERRI Analyst

The Taliban's actions in resolving the Air India hijacking are being internationally condemned because they did the unthinkable and negotiated with terrorists, eventually caving into their demands. Already under the pressure from United Nations sanctions, punishment for supporting terrorism, the Taliban wanted more than ever to demonstrate they were as against terrorism in the hope of some diplomatic reprieve from nations accusing otherwise.

But their methods in resolving the situation were inept and analysts around the world are questioning whether there was more than meets the eye to the hijacking. "I'm afraid that the method of resolution of the Indian Air flight 814 incident leaves some room for criticism," Emergency Response and Research Institute (ERRI) Senior Analyst Clark Staten said in relation to the incident. 

"Although we know the Indian government found themselves in a difficult predicament, with the lives of their countrymen at risk, their response would seem a very bad precedent that could potentially lead to future hostage taking," Staten warned.

Staten, a veteran analyst, disagreed with the Indian government's move to "negotiate" with the hijackers. He believes that such an act has made them vulnerable to similar attacks in the future. "Ultimately, India could find themselves faced with this situation over and over again," he added.

Other analysts agree the Taliban's actions were inappropriate, even going so far as to accuse them of double-dealing. "This whole thing is an absolute con and the media is allowing the Taliban not only to get away with it, but to let them come out smelling like a rose," open-source intelligence analyst Ronald W. Lewis said.

Lewis who has 13 years military experience and was an Honor Graduate of the Armed Forces Air Intelligence Center believes the Taliban pulled off a "con" job right in front of the international community. He bases his assessment partly on the actions of Taliban guards when the terrorists left the aircraft and made their dramatic escape.

"As the first hijacker drops down, the Taliban guard in front of him has his weapon pointed at the ground, held in both hands, slack, at a 45-degree angle as the second hijacker is on the tarmac with his buddy the same guard is seen with his AK held in only one hand, pointed straight down at the ground," Lewis said.

"This guy could not feel more secure about the presence of these armed "hijackers," he explained. Lewis believes that openly, the Taliban were openly playing a kind of statesman's role while behind-the-scenes they were giving the hijackers support. "These various extremist elements can be at each others throat one day, then. If it is expedient to do so for one reason or another, they are the closest allies the next," he added.

Another analyst, Alijandra Mogilner who specializes in culturally based open source intelligence and counterterrorism analysis agrees with Lewis that these extremist elements were probably tied in together. Using her expert knowledge in the field, Mogilner is able to explain further how the event was related to known extremism and linked to master terrorist Usama bin Laden. 

"There is little question that, while the Indian airlines hijackers were "Afghans," they were directly tied to the Al-Muhajiroun in Pakistan and Usama bin Laden, who is currently living in Afghanistan," she said.  According to Mogilner, the Al-Muhajiroun had been working with other groups to move control of the Pakistani government from the moderate military leadership to a Kalipha (fundamentalist Islamic dictatorship) ruling.  

When asked for her opinions about the hijacking she speculated that the hijacking was arranged to exacerbate the conflict between India and Pakistan to bring down the government. A speculation shared by other analysts who believe the repercussion of this event will be felt in the region for a long time to come.

Other experts have different opinions however. Bruce Richardson, former USIA/USIS worker involved in the 1986 "Afghan Media Project" said, "Those who are trying to link this incident to bin Laden are, in my view, uninformed or are perhaps putting too much faith in the rhetorical hubris of the mainstream media and/or administration spokespersons." Richardson has worked inside Afghanistan on numerous occasions as a free-lance journalist and argues that instead of condemning the Taliban, the international community should be congratulating them for allowing the plane to land at Kandahar when it was low on fuel, therefore averting a disaster. 

"The resolute decisions taken by the Taliban officials in my opinion saved perhaps the lives of 155 innocent people," he said. Richardson, who is a considered an expert on Afghanistan and published in numerous periodicals including the Washington Times, says that the Taliban have not supported terrorism in the past making it unlikely for them to do it now. "The Afghans have never countenanced the export of terrorism not even during the war with the Soviets when they had both the opportunity and the justification to do so," he explained.

"Many people in the Muslim world see the whole bin Laden affair as American cultural arrogance and as media-cover for a scandalized presidency," he added.  Whatever your view of the Air India hijacking, one thing remains certain due to its controversial outcome, we are assured to hear more about this incident for a long time to come...

The Air India Flight 814 Hijacking

A Complete Chronological Summary: 

**Dec 24, 1999 - Day One Hijacking and Flight Across Asia**

Air India flight 814 was en-route from Kathmandu, Nepal heading for New Delhi, India, when it was hijacked at 1130 GMT in mid-air by six Islamic terrorists. The Airbus A300 was on a Christmas Eve flight and carrying 178 passengers and 11 crew when hijackers broke into the cockpit and threatened to kill passengers if they didn't obey their commands. One man was stabbed to death when he refused to wear a blindfold and other passengers were told they would be shot if they didn't comply also.

"They came in with pistols, knives and some of them had hand grenades," they blindfolded us and said, 'Don't move, otherwise we'll shoot you", one passenger later recounted. Passengers sitting around the person who was killed said that after he was stabbed, the hijackers allowed him to bleed slowly to death. During which time the mortally wounded individual begged for water but was refused.

The terrorists made the pilot fly the aircraft directly to the Indian city of Amritsa where they hoped to be refuelled. Airport authorities declined to fill the plane's tanks and the hijackers turned nasty, making the pilot relay a message via radio that they had tied up and killed four passengers and crew. This claim would later prove to be false. 

With fuel tanks near empty, the aircraft took off again heading over the border for nearby Lahore, Pakistan where this time it was refuelled. Sometime during this leg of the flight, the terrorists turned on a member of their gang and killed him for unknown reasons. 

After Lahore the jet flew into Afghan airspace and attempted to land at Kabul where the Taliban refused them clearance. Running low on fuel again, they diverted to Dubai, United Arab Emirates and landed at an air base.

In exchange for the release of 25 passengers and the body of the now deceased hostage, officials in Dubai gave the terrorists food, water and fuel. A doctor, who checked the freed passengers told CNN, "They are okay. Some of them are a little bit injured, but it's okay They [the medics] are looking at them, and they've been given treatment, and most of them are in good condition for the time being."

**Dec 25, 1999 - Day Two Landing in Kandahar and Demands are Made**

Flight 814 made a second attempt to land in Kabul on Christmas day but was refused clearance again and were forced to land at Kandahar, 300 miles (483 kilometres) away. Interviews with passengers after the ordeal would show that the hopscotch journey across west Asia was very traumatic with the terrorists constantly beating people and refusing them to use the toilet. The passengers were also deprived of fuel and water. 

On the ground in Kandahar the Taliban set-up a low-key security perimeter around the aircraft and established two-way communications with the people on the flight-deck. Negotiators were sent in but they initially knew only what the 25 freed passengers had told them, that they all spoke Hindi.

Later in the day as communications were being established between the Taliban officials and the terrorists, the demands were delivered - release former head of the outlawed Islamic faction Harkat al Mujahideen, Malauna Masood Azghar, from an Indian jail where he was incarcerated. The organization Harkat al Mujahideen was responsible for the deaths of five western tourists in 1995.

Along with the demands was a request for Asylum in Afghanistan, which was refused by the Taliban who were still reeling from the effects of United Nations sanctions. The UN sanctions were imposed on Afghanistan because of their support for terrorism.

According to CNN, a phone call was made to the New Delhi Air Traffic Control also on the second day, claiming the Islamic Salvation Front were responsible for the hijacking, but this was never confirmed.

**Dec 26, 1999 - Day Three Taliban Demand UN Involvement**

As the hijacking drama dragged into day three the Taliban demanded that United Nations officials be brought in to handle negotiations. But the UN, who didn't "negotiate" with terrorists refused to take lead in the mediation efforts. "We have been trying the whole day today for the United Nations to accept mediation between the hijackers and the Indian government and take the matter into its hands, but the United Nations refused to do it," Afghanistan Foreign Minister, Abdul Wakil Muttawakil, told the Afghan Islamic Press (AIP).

Then the Foreign Minister delivered a stern warning saying that if the UN did not intervene, they would force the plane to leave. At the time of making the statement he had full knowledge the hijackers had threatened to crash the plane if they were forced to leave Afghanistan. A was deadline was set by the terrorists reacting to the foreign minister's statement - at 1200 GMT if their demands were not met, they would start killing passengers.

The deadline passed without bloodshed as negotiations resumed and some compassion on the part of the hijackers was shown to a man suffering diabetes problems. He was released and taken to hospital for medical treatment. 

**Dec 27, 1999 - Day Four Cabin Conditions Deteriorate when Overused Engines Fail**

On day four (Monday 27 December) the Indian government sent officials to assess the situation in Kandahar. No mandate was given for the government officials to negotiate with the hijackers, but they soon found themselves assisting the Taliban negotiators. Conditions inside the jet were deteriorating badly according to the pilot. Oil coming from the jet's engines indicated to people outside the aircraft that the plane was at risk of breaking down because of wear on the engines, which had been running since the beginning of the hijack drama. 

Later that day, as negotiations remained a touch-and-go operation, both engines shut down leaving the cabin without ventilation, air-conditioning or heating. The plane was left overnight without power and inside cabin temperatures dropped to the freezing point.

**Dec 28, 1999 - Day Five Hijackers Add to List of Demands $US200 million, 35 Militants Released and Exhumation of Body**

The hijackers made extra demands on the fifth day starting with the terrorists calling for the aircraft to be made "flyable". Some people interpreted this as a sign the hijackers were about to leave Afghanistan, but in hindsight it appears nothing more than a request to restore power.

Responding to the call Taliban officials dispatched airport maintenance workers to the aircraft. At one stage a worker was allowed on board to repair toilet facilities in exchange for a terrorists leaving the aircraft to hold face-to-face negotiations with the Taliban.

Talking inside a four-wheel drive vehicle, the terrorist and negotiators made no headway. Instead, the hijackers had delivered more demands. The hijackers not only wanted Malauna Masood Azghar released, they wanted $US200 million, the exhumation of a terrorist leader's body and another 35 jailed militants released.

**Dec 29, 1999 - Day Six Demands Decrease as Taliban Forces Provide Extra "Security"**

For 24-hours the new demands stood before being changed again, the hijackers only wanted the release of Masood and 35 jailed militants. Negotiations continued and more was learnt about the hijackers. They constantly talked about the struggle in Kashmir and human rights abuses in India lending to speculation the hijacking had something to do with the conflict in Kashmir. Promisingly they had also begun let passengers take their blindfolds off and sit up. 

Outside the aircraft things were starting to take a different tact. An armoured personnel carrier (APC) and more Taliban troops set up positions around the aircraft causing Indian media to jump the gun saying a storming of the plane would be imminent. Taliban officials were quick to deny this saying the extra forces were to provide "security" only and held the negotiators and terrorists "focus" on what they were doing.

**Dec 30, 1999 - Day Seven Cabin Condition Deplorable**

Cabin conditions continued to deteriorate and a passenger complaining of stomach problems was released from the aircraft on day seven. The sick passenger was refused entry into a Red Cross tent and instead taken away by Taliban ambulance at approximately 6.00pm local time. An hour and a half later he was returned to the aircraft.

The incident came as no surprise to the people at Kandahar who knew that conditions on the aircraft were bad. In communications with the Taliban negotiators the pilot had described the interior cabin conditions as "deplorable" and continuing to deteriorate even with the power running. Making matters worse, many of the passengers had been "sick" and the stench unbearable. Airport authorities attempted to counter the problem by running an air-hose into the aircraft for ventilation. This had only marginal effect.

By day seven the negotiators, a combined team of Taliban and Indian officials, started playing the religion card telling the hijackers that what they were doing was "un-Islamic" and not what Masood wanted. Indian media even claimed that Masood did not want to be released under these kinds of circumstances. The terrorists didn't bite and continued to make their threats and requests.

Kandahar airport was a hype of activity for the second day in a row with a tank, anti-aircraft missiles and troops moving in around the aircraft. Taliban officials continued to say that these were for "security" only. 

**Dec 31, 1999 - Day Eight Negotiations made, Hostages Released and Terrorists Escape**

Before dawn on the final day of the hijacking, the power failed again just before dawn plunging the aircraft into darkness. This time the damage was worse than before and a new back-up battery would have to be flown in from India to restore electricity to the Airbus. Passengers, who had already spent more than 170 hours together, faced the ominous prospect of another hot day and cold in the relatively cramped cabin. Journalists moving around the airfield saw more Taliban re-enforcement's while negotiators resumed their talks. 

Unknown to the rest of the world however, the Taliban and Indian government were preparing to do the un-thinkable, strike a deal with the terrorists. In what would later become a much-debated act of clemency, the Indian government caved into the terrorist demands and released three militants from jail including Masood, in exchange for all 154 remaining passengers. The other two militants were named as Ahmed Omar Sayed Sheikh and Mushtaq Ahmed Zargar.

Jumping from the emergency ladder hanging down from the nose of the aircraft, all five terrorists along with one Taliban hostages escaped from Kandahar airport in Taliban provided vehicles heading for Pakistan, a three-hour drive away. A number of heavily armed Taliban vehicles were in pursuit. A short time later the hostage was released, but somehow the Taliban officials lost the hijackers in the desert.

Air India Hijacking - Indian Media Plays Dangerous Game of Propaganda

Fear of millennium violence was at the forefront of the counter-terrorism professional's mind when news of the Air India hijacking broke. An Airbus A300 with 189 people on board was taken by Islamic terrorists on Christmas Eve after taking-off from Nepal.

After a hopscotch crossing of Asia the aircraft made a landing in Kandahar, Afghanistan. Once on the ground in Kandahar the Islamic terrorist hijackers found that the Taliban weren't as welcoming as they expected. Instead of the open-armed welcome and an invitation for asylum, a non-respondent Taliban surrounded the aircraft and the United Nations were called in.

For the Taliban under pressure from UN sanctions, United Nations intervention was requested because it gave the Taliban a chance to show they really don't support terrorism. 

The terrorist demands were simple, release terrorist Malauna Masood Azghar, who was responsible for the killing five Western tourists in 1995, and release 35 other militants. Masood belonged to the Harkat al Mujahideen and Indian authorities made unconfirmed claims that one of the hijackers was his brother.

On numerous occasions the Harkat had been linked to Usama Bin Laden's terrorist "neural" network and according to Indian news sources, also have a number of terrorist camps in eastern Afghanistan -- some right next-door to bin Laden bases. Although hijacking's have not been a bin Laden attribute in the past, most analysts agree the possibility of his direct involvement is high. 

As the situation progressed and conditions inside the aircraft deteriorate, the terrorists continued getting agitated and the Taliban started pushing the threat that if the jet wasn't moved or the situation wasn't resolved shortly, they would force the terrorists to leave. This was met with an aggressive and disturbing response from the terrorists who began threatening to kill passengers and crash the plane.

To make matters worse, the Indian news sources who were later accused of spreading inaccurate propaganda throughout the ordeal started speculating that armed forces would storm the aircraft, putting everybody on edge.

At times it appeared the Indian media was working against the mediation process spreading wild and speculative rumors about the Taliban's intentions. Luckily the inconsiderate and dangerous abuse of the media by India didn't result in any catastrophic events prompted by a fear of attack on the aircraft.

What they said - Memorable Quotes From the Air India Hijacking:

* "We will allow it to refuel and we will provide it with medical aid and food if needed. We are not interested in allowing them to stay for a long time." (Emirates Information Minister Abdullah bin Zayed said Dec 24, 1999)

* "All they are holding out is empty promises. They say 'Don't worry', but how is that possible?" (Unidentified relative of a passenger at Kandahar airport, told the BBC Dec 25, 1999)

* "We are all like you and the entire nation is with you. The plane is in Kandahar and you know the limitations. We can understand your anger." (Civil aviation official Sunil Chopra said at a press conference Dec 27, 1999)

* "The situation for the passengers is getting worse. They are tired and tense, and the hijackers are becoming agitated." (Rehmatullah Aga, a Taliban spokesman told CNN on Dec 28, 1999)

* "It's been pretty sombre over the last few days. Our Christmas just died the moment we heard the news. One minute we were laughing and joking and listening to music, then we were watching the news." (Gurmeet Rehal, whose husband was on board 814, told the BBC Dec 29,1999)

* "Our main difficulty, as before, is what will happen, supposedly, if India releases the prisoners. What will happen to the prisoners and hijackers; where will they go?" (Indian Foreign Minister Muttawakil at a press conference, Dec 31, 1999)

* "The Taliban hostage has come back to Kandahar, and (the hijackers) have gone from the country." (Taliban spokesman Rehnatullah Aga spoke of the dramatic escape by the hijackers on Dec 31, 1999.)

* "She's in very bad shape. Rachna doesn't recall anything and is only searching for her husband everywhere," (Dr RK Sinha said after treating Rachna, whose husband was killed by the hijackers.)

* "The girl still does not know anything," (Kanwal Katyal, relative of murdered passenger quoted the Times of India, talking about Rachna, Jan 1, 2000.)

* "They came in with pistols, knives and some of them had hand grenades," they blindfolded us and said, 'Don't move, otherwise we'll shoot you" (Unidentified passenger told the BBC on Jan 1, 2000)

* "They said they had tied four or five passengers ... they said 'We will kill them.' I was scared." (Capt Sharan, pilot of 814 told the BBC while recounting the hijacking on Jan 2, 2000)

Excerpt from: ERRI DAILY INTELLIGENCE REPORT-ERRI Risk Assessment Services-Sunday, January 2, 2000-Vol. 6 - 002

PAKISTAN

Plane Hijackers Vanish

By Steve Macko

According to diplomats, the five hijackers and the three prisoners whose freedom they won from Indian jails have vanished without a trace, although Pakistan is believed to be their most logical destination. Officials in Afghanistan, where most of the eight-day hijacking was played out, and Pakistan, the closest escape route for the fugitives, both denied the group was in their territory.

But diplomats contend that geographically and politically the hijackers and the captives freed by India would most probably have headed for Pakistan or Pakistan-administered Kashmir. The hijackers and the freed prisoners have been linked to militants fighting Indian rule of Kashmir.

In Pakistan, the the English-language newspaper "The News" said on Sunday: "This (hijacking) is a dangerous situation, signifying that the blowback of India's oppression in Kashmir can spread to other frontiers." In an editorial that echoed some official statements, it linked the hijacking to what Pakistan calls the uprising against Indian rule by Kashmiris in Indian-ruled Kashmir.

The newspaper also said: "The fact of the matter is that desperate acts of state repression result in desperate acts by the oppressed. The Kashmiris have withstood the charge of Indian brigades for over a decade now. Their organizations, both political and militants, have been frustrated by the lack of any international initiative to address their grievances."

Pakistan's military-led government said that it would arrest and try the hijackers if they were caught on Pakistani soil and denied Indian allegations they were Pakistanis. Pakistani officials admitted that it would be difficult to arrest the hijackers since they were masked throughout the hijack and no one knew who they were. And Afghanistan said that the group, which disappeared shortly before 154 hostages were freed, was no longer in the country. There was no hard evidence available to support speculation that the hijackers and their freed captives, who are linked to Moslem Kashmiri activists groups, had headed for Pakistan-controlled Kashmir.

Sat. 01/01/2000 06:07CST

Taliban Allows Air India Hijackers to Escape

By Jeremy Zakis, ERRI Analyst

KANDAHAR, AFGHANISTAN - Facing a 10-hour deadline to leave the country, the Air India hijackers fled Afghanistan Friday heading for Pakistan. The Taliban made a half-hearted attempt to follow the five terrorists and three Islamic militants as they crossed sand deserts by four-wheel drive.

As part of a deal negotiated by the Indian government, all 154 hostages aboard Air India flight 814 were released in exchange for three Islamic militants, including Malauna Masood Azghar, ex-leader of the Harkat al Mujahideen terrorist organisation. The aircraft had been sitting on the tarmac at Kandahar airport for seven days, after it landed there on Christmas Eve.

Taliban spokesman Rehnatullah Aga told CNN, "The Taliban hostage has come back to Kandahar, and (the hijackers) have gone from the country." Pakistan reacted to the latest development by strongly denouncing the hijacking. All 154 freed passengers were flown to New Dehli where they were reunited with relatives, in time to celebrate the New Year. There was only one fatality amongst the passengers, a man who was stabbed to death within minutes of the hijacking, for refusing to wear a blindfold. His body had been released on Christmas Eve when the plane made a stopover in the United Arab Emirates.

Officials in Afghanistan searched the plane on Saturday after the terrorist had left and found the body of a sixth hijacker in the cockpit. It appeared his own comrades had killed him. The Taliban had not made any further attempts to pursue the hijackers...

03:30CST - 01 Jan 99 - Instant Update

Skyjackers and Kashmiri Militants Successfully Escape?? 

Kandahar, Afghanistan (EmergencyNet News) - Masood Azhar, a leader of Harkat ul-Ansar, Mushtaq Ahmed Zargar, chief commander of the rebel group Ul-Umar Mujahideen, and Ahmad Omar Sayed Sheikh, have all escaped successfully with five unidentified hijackers who demanded and attained their freedom from Indian jails. The skyjackers and Pakistani militants have reportedly left Afghanistan by car, according to Taliban spokesman Rehnatullah Aga. The destination of the fugitive militants was not revealed, but it is thought that the only accessible and favorable location that could be reached within the time limits placed by the Taliban is Pakistan. The Taliban movement had given the skyjackers 10 hours to leave the country after the handover.... 

31 Dec 99 - Instant Update

Air India Hostages Freed - Terrorists Told to Leave

From: ERRI Watch Desk

KANDAHAR, AFGHANISTAN - CNN is reporting that all 154 hostages were freed from the hijacked Air India jet in Afghanistan early Friday evening. The passengers and crew were then flown directly to New Dehli, India, according to U.N. official Erick de Mul who helped with negotiations. Live footage shown within the past few minutes showed the former hostages arriving in India following their release. 

Three Islamic militants held in Indian prisons were handed over to the six terrorist hijackers as part of the deal. Among the three released from jail was Malauna Masood Azghar, ex-leader of the Harkat al Mujahideen terrorist organization.

Taliban officials have reportedly given the hijackers 10 hours to leave Afghanistan while more soldiers take up positions nearby the aircraft. The Taliban told the hijackers they could go "wherever they want to", as long as it wasn't in Afghanistan. The deadline to leave will expire at 2300(GMT).  Unconfirmed reports from the area suggest that the militants and their now released comrades will be driven to Pakistan and released...

11:00(GMT) - 06:00CST - 31 Dec 99

Air India Hostages May Be Released Shortly

By Jeremy Zakis, ERRI Analyst

KANDAHAR, AFGHANISTAN - On the eve of the new millennium the 154 hostages on board Air India flight 814 have been given a reprieve by the hijackers, they're about to be released. Sitting on the tarmac since December 24, passengers have endured cold nights and appalling conditions on board the aircraft. In exchange for releasing the passengers, Indian authorities have reportedly released three jailed Islamic terrorists including Malauna Masood Azghar, ex-leader of the Harkat al Mujahideen terrorist organization.  Negotiators say the passengers would be released by 1700hrs GMT and will be flown directly to New Dehli. The fate of the terrorist hijackers has not yet been determined, but it is said to be in the hands of the Taliban.

Also on Friday, more Taliban military units had been set up near the aircraft, including a number of U.S. made Anti-aircraft Stinger missiles and a tank near the airports perimeter. Taliban officials claim these are security measures designed to make the terrorists and negotiators 'focus' on the severity of the situation.

The Taliban has been unhappy with the presence of the aircraft in Afghanistan since it arrived seven days ago and had repeatedly called for its removal. Hijackers had warned that they will crash the plane if forced to leave Kandahar. Unconfirmed reports had suggested that the Taiban had set 31 Dec as a final "deadline" in resolution of the skyjacking.

30 Dec 99 - EmergencyNet News Special Report

Hostage Released Then Returned On Day 6 of Hijack Drama

By Jeremy Zakis, ERRI Analyst

KANDAHAR, AFGHANISTAN - A passenger was released from the hijacked Air India flight in Kandahar and then returned to the aircraft 90-minutes later after receiving hospital treatment. The passenger was released Thursday evening and was described as an Indian male in his 30's, complaining of stomach problems.

This illness came after a spokesman at the airport said conditions inside the aircraft were deteriorating again with most of the 154 passengers feeling ill and suffering from fatigue.

An attempt was made on Wednesday to improve conditions inside the cabin by pumping fresh air via hoses through the aircraft, but this hardly affected the "deplorable" conditions.

No headway was made in negotiations on Thursday with the Taliban reiterating their threat of forcing the aircraft to leave Afghanistan if the situation was not resolved quickly. The terrorists previously threatened to crash the aircraft if forced to leave.

The terrorist demands remained the same, release 35 jailed Muslims and Malauna Masood Azghar. During negotiations the Taliban have been appealing to the hijackers religious sides by calling their actions "un-Islamic" and not what Masood would have wanted. This has not softened the terrorists or gained any leeway for the negotiators.

In other developments, an armoured personnel carrier (APC) and rocket launcher were seen setting up position close to the aircraft, leading to speculation among journalists that the Taliban were planning to storm the plane. The Taliban were quick to deny this and said the APC and launcher were to provide "security" only.

29 Dec 99 - EmergencyNet News Special Report

Conditions Improve and New Demands Dropped in Jet Hijacking

By Jeremy Zakis, ERRI Analyst

KANDAHAR, AFGHANISTAN - Conditions on board Air India Flt. 814 hijacked in Afghanistan improved on Wednesday when power was restored to the aircraft thanks to airport technicians. According to Voice of America (VOA), the hijackers allowed a maintenance person on board the airliner while one of the terrorists left the plane to hold face to face negotiations with the Taliban in a nearby vehicle.

Dressed in red, the hijacker left the aircraft as part of a deal struck by the Taliban, assuring that no harm would come to the maintenance worker while he serviced the power units and toilet facilities on board.

In their latest communications with negotiators, the hijackers dropped a list of demands for $US200 million and the exhumation of a terrorists body. These were made on Tuesday in addition to the demand for release of terrorist Malauna Masood Azghar. However it remains unclear whether the demands for the release of 35 other jailed terrorists still stands.

28 Dec 99-08:30CST

EmergencyNet News Special Report 

Air India Flt. 814 Hijackers Demand Aircraft Made "Flyable"

By Jeremy Zakis, ERRI Analyst

KANDAHAR, AFGHANISTAN - According to BBC Radio, the hijackers aboard Air India 814 on the tarmac at Kandahar demanded airport technicians repair the engines and make the aircraft "flyable" a day after threatening to crash the aircraft if they were forced to leave.

Airport technicians complied but new problems concerning the condition inside the aircraft emerged when both engines were shut down due to technical problems. Since the aircraft landed in Afghanistan on December 25, the engines had been kept running to keep air-conditioning units powered, but that has taken it's toll on the aircraft. The pilots were forced to shut down both engines, leaving the hostages to face a cold night without heating and a hot day with out air-conditioning.

The pilot of the hijacked aircraft told negotiators on Tuesday that conditions in the aircraft were bad because people had been sick in the cabin and the stench was becoming unbearable in the stifling air. Negotiations had resumed for approximately two hours on Tuesday before breaking down again.

Voice of America (VOA) radio provided an insight into the terrorists on Tuesday when it interviewed a source close to negotiators in Afghanistan. The source said that the "leader" of the group had spoken for two hours throughout the day via radio with negotiators. The terrorist leader talked about the conflict in Kashmir, Indian issues and atrocities against India during the negotiations, according to the VOA source.

In other developments it was revealed also the terrorists had refused food to be brought on board Monday night for unspecified reasons. The refusal of food came at the same time that Indian media started circulating rumours that commando's were about to storm the aircraft. As the hijacking enters its fifth day, the negotiators remain at a relative stalemate with the terrorists.

From: ERRI DAILY INTELLIGENCE REPORT-ERRI Risk Assessment Services-Sunday, December 26, 1999-Vol. 5 - 360

AFGHANISTAN

Hijack Drama Continues in Afghanistan

A three day hijack drama continues today in Afganistan as Taiban officials demand that U.N. officials undertake a "mediation (read negotiation) role," in ending the seige that holds more than 160 people hostage on a tarmac of Kandahar airport. 

Abdul Wakil Muttawakil, Afghanistan Foreign Minister, is quoted today by the Afghan Islamic Press (AIP) as complaining, "We have been trying the whole day today for the United Nations to accept mediation between the hijackers and the Indian government and take the matter into its hands, but the United Nations refused to do it."  

Muttawakil added: "If India or the United Nations do not take urgent action for the release of passengers of the hijacked plane we will be forced to remove the plane from Afghanistan. The U.N. delegation's view is that it has come only for humanitarian help." Earlier reports indicate that the hijackers have vowed to crash the plane if they are forced to leave Afghanistan.

United Nations officials have so far maintained that they are only in Afghanistan to assist in the "humanitarian needs" of the hostages and that they are not involved in negotiations involving the release of the hostages or the movement of the airplane to another country.

Foreign policy experts say that one of the difficulties involved in the current crisis is the fact that India and the Taliban militia have no diplomatic relationship and that India does not recognize the Taliban as the official government of the war-torn Afghanistan. There is also no direct contact between Indian officials in New Dehli and the hijackers, further complicating any possible negoiations.

Late reports from Kandahar say that one more hostage has been released today. The man was said to be suffering from diabetes and in need of medication. Meanwhile...the crisis and drama continues, with no apparent easy resolution in sight.

 25 Dec 99 

Indian Air/Algeria/Islamic Salvation Front - Reference/Backgrounder:

Armed Islamic Group (GIA)

Description: An Islamic extremist group, the GIA aims to overthrow the secular Algerian regime and replace it with an Islamic state. The GIA began its violent activities in early 1992 after Algiers voided the victory of the Islamic Salvation Front (FIS)--the largest Islamic party--in the first round of December 1991 legislative elections.

Activities: Frequent attacks against regime targets-- particularly security personnel and government officials--civilians, journalists, teachers, and foreign residents. Since announcing its terrorist campaign against foreigners living in Algeria in September 1993, the GIA has killed about 100 expatriate men and women--mostly Europeans--in the country. The GIA uses assassinations and bombings, including car bombs, and it is known to favor kidnapping victims and slitting their throats. The GIA hijacked an Air France flight to Algiers in December 1994, and suspicions centered on the group for a series of bombings in France in 1995.

Strength: Unknown, probably several hundred to several thousand.

Location: Algeria.

External Aid: Algerian expatriates, many of whom reside in Western Europe, provide some financial and logistic support. In addition, the Algerian Government has accused Iran and Sudan of supporting Algerian extremists, and severed diplomatic relations with Iran in March 1993.

Islamic Salvation Army

The second largest terrorist group in Algeria is the Islamic Salvation Army (AIS). This group has rapidly established itself and is said to be the armed wing of the Islamic Salvation Front (FIS).

Most of the AIS followers are said to be young, fanatical and are driven by the belief that they have little to lose in fighting the government. Where the AIS and the FIS differ from the GIA is that they claim they are not responsible for the indiscriminate killing of civilians or bombings. They are only interested in fighting the Algerian security forces.

Source: U.S. State Department/EmergencyNet News

09:00CST - 25 Dec 99

"Islamic Salvation Front" Claims Responsibility For Indian Air Hijacking; Drama Continues

by C. L. Staten

Kandahar, Afghanistan (EmergencyNet News) - Indian Air Flt. 418 is still on the ground in Kandahar, with five heavily armed skyjackers still in control of the plane. Afghani officials said that they have also provided food, water, and "humanitarian assistance" to those on the plane at the request of the Indian government. Afghanistan officials say that those holding the plane have requested political asylum, but that the Taliban leadership has denied the request and "wants the terrorist to depart Afghanistan."  In response, the skyjackers reportedly have refused to leave Afghanistan, and said that they were forced to depart that they would "take off and crash the plane." 

According to Indian junior civil aviation minister Chaman Lal Gupta, a group calling itself the "Islamic Salvation Front" has claimed responsibility for the hijacking in a telephone call to New Delhi's air traffic control center. Grupta said that the terrorists were demanding the release of  three members of the "All Parties Hurriyat (Freedom) Conference," who were arrested and are presently in custody in an Indian jail.  It is not presently known if the claim is legitimate as the "Algerian Liberation Front" or FIS, is an Algerian political party with ties to the GIA. The GIA, or Armed Islamic Group, is a radical Islamic organization that is charged with involvement in the terrorist deaths of more than 50,000 people in Algeria, since 1992. The actual identity of the the hijackers remains a mystery at the time of this report.  

An alliance of Kashmiri opposition and militant groups (Muttahida Jihad Council) is also reportedly distancing themselves from the Flt. 814 hijackers by announcing, "None of the militant groups engaged in (Indian) the occupied Kashmir arte linked with this plane hijack, nor does our faith and our sacred struggle permit murder of any innocent citizens."  Indian officials said that there is no other known claim of responsibility for the hijacking.

ERRI analysts said that events in Afghanistan are troubling because of suspected links between Algerian terrorist groups, Usama Bin Laden -- who is a honored guest of the Taliban,  and the arrests of suspected Algerians in both Port Angeles, WA and Burlington, VT, in recent days. No firm links or connections have been established between any of these recent events, but ERRI analysts say that they are presently exploring all of the possible options and possibilities....

00:45CST - 25 Dec 99

Political Asylum Reportedly Rejected by Taliban Authorities

An unidentified Taliban aviation official in Kandahar reportedly told the Reuters News service that the hijackers of Indian Air Flt.814 had requested political asylum in Afghanistan. According the official, that request has been rejected by the Taliban and "We are discussing their departure." 

Although unverified by official Indian sources, ABC News, at 00:43CST, is reporting that the hijackers have demanded the release of two alleged Kashmiri separatists, leading to speculation that they may have connections to an on-going conflict in Kashmir. Earlier identification by U.A.E. authorities had suggested that the perpetrators were possibly members of a Sikh militant faction. No confirmation of the identity of the hijackers or their motive has been released by Indian authorities.   

Negotiations reportedly continue this hour between the terrorists, Taliban officials, and Indian Foreign ministry officials.  EmergencyNet News continues to monitor events involving the hijacking of Indian Air 814 and will provide updates as circumstances dictate...

22:30 - 24 Dec 99

Hijacked Plane Reported in Afghanistan

International aviation authorities are reporting that Indian Air 814 is now on the ground in Kandahar,  Afghanistan.  The plane reportedly departed Dubai, U.A.E. at about 00:55GMT, after exchanging 25 hostages for fuel, food, water, and medical supplies. Those released are believed to include women, children and some injured people. The Indian Civil Aviation Authority has also confirmed that at least one dead body was taken off the plane in Dubai. 

The fate of the remaining 164 passengers and crew remains open to question at the time of this report. Kandahar is known to be firmly under the control of the Taliban, a strongly fundamentalist militant organization, that has taken control of approximately 90-95% of Afghanistan.  The Taliban are also known to be the current protector of Usama bin Laden, a suspected terror master-mind wanted in connection with the bombing of two U.S. embasssies in Africa in 1998.

14:30CST - 24 Dec 99

Hijack Plane Trying to Land in Dubai?

H.K. Dua, press secretary of the Indian Prime Minister, says that the hijacked plane is now thought to be trying to land in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. That report, however, was not immediately verified by U.A.E. authorities. At least one report suggests that U.A.E. aviation authorities may have attempted to deny landing rights to the ill-fated plane. But, as of 15:21:00EST, ABC News is reporting that they have verified that the plane has landed at an airport near Dubai.

Confusion apparently continues, even in official circles, as to the final destination of the plane.  No group has so far claimed responsibility for the skyjacking, nor has the identity of the perpetrators been ascertained... 

12:00CST - 24 Dec 99

Hijacked Plane Now Reportedly Enroute to Unknown Destination

The Indian Air Flt. IC 814 hijack drama continues as the hijacked plane has reportedly departed Lahore, Pakistan, for an unknown destination. The plane, carrying 189 people, was originally scheduled to travel from Kathmandu to the Indian capital of New Delhi, when it was hijacked.

Lahore officials say that they believe at least four (4) people have been killed and another five wounded by five (5) heavily armed terrorists who are in charge of the plane. Several Europeans and at least one American are currently thought to be on the plane.   

Media reports said the five hijackers were thought to be armed with AK-47 rifles, grenades and revolvers. It is not clear at this time how they were able to get these weapons on the aircraft. No identification of the hijackers has so far been determined.  

10:00CST - 24 Dec 99

Indian Air Flt. IC 814 Hijacked, On Ground in Lahore

Lahore, Pakistan (EmergencyNet News) - Preliminary reports say that a an Indian Air Flt. IC 814 has been hijacked with 189 people on-board. It is reportedly now on the ground in Lahore and surrounded by Pakistani troops and police. 

According to the Reuters News service, at least four passengers have been shot and killed by five armed hijackers, who are still control the plane at the time of this report. The identity of the hijackers has not established. The hijackers have reportedly demanded fuel and negotiations with them continue. 

© All reports, unless indicated by title, attribution, or mark, Copyright by EmergencyNet News Service, 1999-2000. All rights reserved. Redistribution or republication without permission is prohibited.

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