News In Brief

India negotiates for Sikhs, extends Punjab security

Authorities tightened security at major airports in India Saturday and began negotiating with the Pakistani government for the return of nine Sikhs who hijacked an Indian Airlines jet with about 250 people aboard. The hijackers surrendered unconditionally on Friday, and Pakistan said it planned to try them on air piracy charges.

Meanwhile, President Zail Singh, a Sikh, extended by three months an order declaring Punjab state and the city of Chandigarh ''disturbed areas.'' The order empowers security forces to shoot suspected terrorists on sight, destroy hideouts and arms dumps, and search vehicles and houses without warrants.