Prior to reaching Peshawar, the hijackers reported to be armed with pistols and explosives required that the aircraft divert to Kabul. Afghanistan. They claimed to belong to a group opposed to the current Pakistan government and they demanded the release of a large number of persons being held by the Pakistani government. They threatened to blow up the plane and/or shoot the passengers if their demands were not met. Over the next several days some of the passengers were released and one male passenger was shot and thrown off the aircraft. He died later. On March 8, the aircraft flew to Damascus. Syria. Several deadlines were set and passed without incident or were extended. The hijackers more than once changed their demands as to the number of persons they wanted released. Finally they settled on 55 and Pakistan agreed when the hijackers threatened to shoot the U.S. citizens aboard. On March 14 after the Libyans refused to allow them to land 54 of the 55 were flown to Syria. The hijackers then surrendered. This hijacking lasted approximately 12 days and 10 hours, the longest to date.