Question : WEAPONS WITH HIJACKERS AT KANDAHAR AIRPORT

(a) whether the number of weapons with the hijackers increased after its landing at Kandahar airport;

(b) whether the code messages of the hijackers have been recorded outside the plane by India;

(c) if so, the details of sources through which hijackers received weapons in Kandahar and the persons from whom they were getting instructions through code messages thereof;

(d) whether any investigations have been made in this regard;

(e) if so the details thereof;

(f) the action taken or being taken by the Government for the prosecution against the hijackers who were released and launch campaign to arrest them as per the international laws and treaties; and (g) whether the Government have investigated to ascertain the country along with the location in which hijackers/released dreaded terrorists are taking shelter?

MINISTER OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

(SHRI JASWANT SINGH)
(a)-(g) Yes, Sir. The debriefing of the released crew and passengers of the hijacked aircraft has revealed that the weapons avaialable with the hijackers increased in both quantity and quality after the aircraft reached Kandahar. It was also clear to our officials in Kandahar that the hijackers were communicating with the controllers outside the aircraft.
The terrorists whose release from Indian custody was secured by the hijackers have reportedly since made their appearances in Pakistan and Pakistan occupied Kashmir. With regards to the hijackers themselves there are grounds to believe that the hijackers are currently in Pakistan. All aspects of the hijacking are being investigated by the CBI.
Facts regarding Pakistan`s complicity in the hijacking of IC 814 have been brought to the notice of the international community through the relevant international for a. Government have also taken up the matter with the Government of Pakistan and reminded it of its obligations under various international conventions, to which Pakistan is party, and under which Pakistan is obliged to extradite the hijackers to India for due judicial process.
The International Civil Aviation Organization has also been provided with the details of the hijacking and has been requested to follow up the matter with Pakistan with respect to the apprehension and extradition of the hijackers and their accomplices.