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| India-Pakistan |
| How the World Paid for the IC-814 Hijacking, 16 Years Hence |
| 2015-12-25 |
| [THEQUINT] |
| Posted by:Fred |
| #1 The money quote: The aircraft finally landed in Kandahar in Afghanistan. Kandahar, at the time, was controlled by the Taliban. Armed Taliban forces had surrounded the aircraft at the Kandahar airport. Some reports suggest that the Taliban, desperate for international recognition, wanted to play mediate between the hijackers and the Indian government. But India declined. It was clear to the Indian authorities that the hijackers had the backing of the Taliban. Amidst stiff domestic resistance, a team of officials led by the MEA Joint Secretary, Vivek Katju and RAW officials flew to Kandahar to carry out the negotiations which was centred around securing the safe release of the passengers. On 31 December, 1999, the passengers were released after India swapped its prisoners. |
| Posted by: Pappy 2015-12-25 13:22 |