M A I N   N E W S

Hijackers head for Pak

KANDAHAR, Dec 31 (AFP) — A decision has been made on the future of the hijackers of the Indian Airlines jet after talks here today with External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh, officials said in Kandahar.

“A decision has been reached on what will happen to them (hijackers) and the Taliban would announce it shortly”, said UN Coordinator for Afghanistan Erick de Mul after the hijackers drove away from Kandahar airport with three exchanged militants.

Meanwhile, a diplomat told AFP that the hijackers will be driven out of Afghanistan by Taliban militia to a neighbouring country, most likely Pakistan.

“Afghanistan does not want these people in its country. They will be driven out of the country tonight by road by the Taliban. They will go to a neighbouring country, most likely Pakistan,” he said.

Speaking at a press conference with Taliban Foreign Minister Wakil Ahmad Mutawakel after talks with the hijackers, Singh said India was determined to continue its fight against terrorism.

“His excellency (Mutawakel) has assured me the criminals will not receive any asylum in Afghanistan and they have 10 hours within which to go wherever they have to go,” Mr Singh said.

India allowed three jailed insurgents to go free at the Kandahar airport.

Shortly after all eight were driven from the airport to an unknown destination, the hostages began emerging from the Airbus 300 plane which had been their prison since December 24, when it was commandeered on a flight from Kathmandu to Delhi.

Mr Erik De Mul, the United Nations envoy involved in negotiations between Indian government officials, the Taliban and the hijackers, said it was now in the hands of the Taliban what happened to the hijackers and the released men.