A hijacked Afghan airliner has taken off from Kazakhstan with about 168 people on board. It is believed the plane is heading to Russia. Three passengers were released from the Boeing 727 as it left the airport in the northwest of the country. The hijackers seized the plane as it took off from the Afghan capital, Kabul at about 5.30am today. It was then refuelled in Uzebekistan before flying on to Kazakhstan. The hijackers have reportedly demanded the release of a prominent opposition leader, jailed by the Taliban authorities three years ago.
