Hijackers of an Indian passenger plane were negotiating with a Dubai military base authorities for refueling, food, water and medical supply.

The plane, with 189 people aboard, was hijacked more than 12 hours ago and landed at Mihad air base, less than 40 kilometers west of Dubai at around 2000 GMT Friday night.

The nationality of the hijackers, reported to number five or seven, remained unknown. Local TV reports said they spoke English with accent during negotiation with ground authorities.

It seemed that the hijackers were planning to fly further, with destination unknown.

Oil has been brought to the military base from Dubai international airport and refueling is now underway. The plane asked for medical supply for the injured, who reports said were suffering badly. But there was no mention of the four reportedly killed.

In return for the supply, the hijackers said they were willing to set free women, chilren and the injured. But that has not been done.

Sheikh Muhammad Bin Rashid, Dubai's crown prince and defense minister of the United Arab Emirates, has reportedly arrived at the scene to handle the situation.

The UAE Information Minister Abdullah bin Zayed was quoted as saying that his government hoped the plane would leave after refueling. It was allowed to land for humanitarian consideration, he said.

The plane was previously reported to be trying to land at Dubai international airport in the UAE, but was switched to the air base for it could pose threat to the heavy traffic at the international airport.

The UAE authorities refused reporters access to the air base.

The plane touched down at the air base more than nine hours after being taken over by hijackers on a flight from Nepal to India, with 178 passengers and 11 crew. Four people were said to be killed and five more injured. The reason for the hijacking remained unknown.

After the hijackers took over the plane, they ordered the pilot to turn toward Pakistan. The plane landed in Lahore, in northeastern Pakistan, and then took off, heading for Kabul, capital of Afghanistan.

The Afghan authorities told the pilot that it was unsafe to land at their airport at night, and plane then tried to land in Muscut, capital of Oman, where it was denied permission.

The plane was en route from Katmandu, capital of Nepal to Indian capital New Delhi and was hijacked after it crossed into Indian airspace, reports said. (Xinhua)