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India's NIA Probes Flydubai Cockpit Attack Under Anti-Terror Laws
India's National Investigation Agency is investigating an attack on a pilot during a Flydubai flight.
The incident happened on September 30, while the plane was travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv.
The co-pilot allegedly attacked Captain Smit Machchhar in the cockpit.
Reports differ about whether the co-pilot used a knife or a crash axe.
Passengers and crew members helped restrain him.
Other pilots took control, and the plane landed safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
India registered a case under laws covering hijacking and unlawful activities.
Investigators are looking into why the attack happened and whether anyone else was involved.
The case does not yet prove a motive or a wider conspiracy.
The NIA registered a case on October 9 into the September 30 attack on Captain Smit Machchhar aboard Flydubai flight FZ1073.
The case invokes the Anti-Hijacking Act, 2016, and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, after the Centre directed the investigation.
The Omani co-pilot allegedly attacked Machchhar during the Dubai-to-Tel Aviv flight; reports differ on whether he used a knife or an emergency crash axe.
Passengers and crew reportedly restrained the co-pilot, and other pilots took control before the plane landed safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
The NIA is examining possible terrorist motives and wider links; the FIR does not establish a motive or prove a conspiracy.
- Who
- Captain Smit Machchhar was allegedly attacked by the Omani co-pilot aboard Flydubai flight FZ1073; India's National Investigation Agency is investigating.
- What
- The NIA registered a case under the Anti-Hijacking Act and UAPA to investigate the alleged cockpit attack and possible attempt to hijack or crash the aircraft.
- Where
- Aboard flight FZ1073 travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv; it landed in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
- When
- The attack occurred on September 30; the NIA registered the case on October 9.
- Why
- The Centre directed the NIA to investigate because the alleged attack on an Indian pilot and possible attempt to hijack or crash a passenger plane were considered to fall under the cited laws. The motive remains under investigation.
Possible wider links
Current evidentiary limits
Terrorism and conspiracy
Possible wider links
The NIA is examining possible terrorist motives, conspiracy, and links to radicalisation networks; the cited FIR provisions include terrorism-related offences.
Current evidentiary limits
The FIR does not establish a motive or identify additional participants in a conspiracy. The inclusion of legal provisions does not prove that the accused belonged to a terrorist organisation.
Whether the co-pilot acted alone
Possible wider links
The NIA is investigating whether there were wider links or a broader conspiracy.
Current evidentiary limits
One account of UAE findings says the co-pilot acted alone; that account also reports investigators believed he planned to crash the aircraft at Ben Gurion Airport.
Key facts
- Flight
- Flydubai flight FZ1073
- Incident date
- September 30
- NIA case registered
- October 9
- Flight route
- Dubai to Tel Aviv
- People on board
- 174 passengers and six crew members, according to reports
- Laws cited
- Section 3 of the Anti-Hijacking Act, 2016, and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967
- Landing
- The aircraft landed safely at Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Airport in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia
- Captain's condition
- Machchhar underwent surgery in Abu Dhabi and was reported to be recovering
Quotes
Randhir Jaiswal
Spokesperson for India’s Ministry of External Affairs
“According to the information that we have, his health is improving, and after operation, he is in the stage of recuperation. He is responding well,”
NDTV
Sources
Flydubai Terror Attack: NIA Invokes Anti-Hijacking Act, UAPA In Flydubai Cockpit Attack On Captain Smit Machchhar
Flydubai Hijack Attempt: NIA Files FIR Under Anti-Hijacking Act, UAPA; Probes Terror Conspiracy
National Investigation Agency to probe attack on flydubai pilot Smit Machchhar under anti-hijacking law, UAPA - Telegraph India
India Registers Case In flydubai Incident Under Anti-Hijacking, Terror Laws
NIA to Investigate Mid-Air Attack on Captain Smit Machchhar on Flydubai Flight
NIA to probe mid-air attack on Captain Machchhar
Flydubai pilot attack: NIA registers case after Indian Captain Smit Machchhar stabbed
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