False alarm on Tuesday over a rumored hijacking caused two Saudi-bound Afghan planes carrying Hajj pilgrims to make emergency landings at a UAE military base, and the grounding of a third Afghan plane in the Gulf state.
Emirati authorities diverted two Ariana airline flights from Afghanistan as a security precaution and grounded a third Ariana flight which was on a scheduled stop in Sharjah, Emirati officials said.
All three were searched thoroughly, but no sign of any hijack attempt was found, Afghan and Emirati officials said, according to AFP.
On his part, Afghanistan's civil aviation minister, Mohammad Mirwais Sidiq, said US-led coalition troops had believed there were hijackers on board.
"There was no hijacking. It was just a rumor," the minister said. (Albawaba.com)
© 2003 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
