Hijackers took control of the Indian Airlines A300 Airbus as it flew from Kathmandu to Delhi. After stops in three it countries it has landed in Afghanistan and remained on the tarmac.

Punjab police guarded Amritsar airport as the plane made its first landing with more than 280 passengers and crew being held captive on board.

Back in Delhi relatives of passengers on the flight headed for the airport desperate for news of their loved ones.

Tight security surrounded Lahore airport, Pakistan, where the A300 landed without permission, after a short hop from Amritsar, and was refuelled.

From Lahore the hijackers flew to a military airfield in Dubai where 27 hostages, mainly women and children were exchanged for more fuel.

Exhausted child passengers were carried off the plane and to safety at the miltary airfield

The body of Rupin Katyar, was also removed from the plane. He had been on his honeymoon.

The freed hostages, tired and relieved, arrive in Delhi for an emotional reunion with their anxious relatives. But for others the ordeal continues.