20000107

Commandos on Indian planes opposed

NEW DELHI: The pilot of an Indian plane hijacked last month fears that a government decision to deploy commandos on all commercial flights poses a grave risk to passengers, newspaprs reported on Thursday.

Captain Devi Saran said that a fight between the commandos and hijackers on the air could result in unnecessary fatalities.

"A real fight between commandos and hijackers can increase the number of deaths during hijackings as the latter will always be fully prepared for such an eventuality," The Indian Express quoted Saran as saying.

The Indian government, which has come under widespread criticism for the hijacking, said it would place commandos on all commercial flights in the country to prevent further hijackings. AFP