World · South & Central Asia · 23 hrs ago
India’s NIA opens probe into attempted hijacking of flydubai flight
India’s National Investigation Agency has opened a criminal investigation into an attempted hijacking of flydubai Flight 1073.
On September 30, the flight’s Omani co-pilot, Hamam al-Hammami, stabbed Indian captain Smit Machchhar in the cockpit.
The agency filed the case under India’s Anti-Hijacking Act and Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.
The government directed the NIA to examine the attack’s possible wider links and prevent future attempts.
The agency said it would investigate whether there was a larger conspiracy and whether any connected groups were active.
Al-Qaida in the Indian Subcontinent praised the incident in its magazine, but neither it nor another publication linked to the group claimed responsibility.
The NIA investigation is now under way.
India’s National Investigation Agency has filed a case to investigate an attempted hijacking of a flydubai aircraft.
The agency filed the FIR under the Anti-Hijacking Act and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.
The incident took place on Sept. 30, when the flight’s Omani co-pilot stabbed Indian captain Smit Machchhar in the cockpit.
The NIA said the probe would examine the possible wider conspiracy and help prevent future attempts.
An al-Qaida-linked publication endorsed the incident, but neither it nor another publication linked to the group claimed responsibility.
- Who
- India’s National Investigation Agency is investigating the incident. The flight’s co-pilot was Hamam al-Hammami, and its captain was Smit Machchhar.
- What
- The NIA filed an FIR to probe an apparent attempt to hijack or crash flydubai Flight 1073.
- When
- The incident occurred on Sept. 30. The NIA filed the FIR by Oct. 10, 2026.
- Where
- The stabbing took place inside the aircraft’s cockpit. The sources do not state where the aircraft was at the time.
- Why
- The NIA said it aimed to investigate the possible wider conspiracy, assess the attack’s implications and help prevent future attempts.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The gravity of the offence, its grave national and international ramifications and the need to unearth the larger conspiracy require a thorough probe by the NIA
The flight’s Omani co-pilot stabbed Indian captain Smit Machchhar in the cockpit.
The Times of India reported that the NIA had filed an FIR to investigate the incident.
- Flight
- flydubai Flight 1073
- Incident date
- Sept. 30
- Co-pilot
- Hamam al-Hammami
- Captain
- Smit Machchhar
- Investigating agency
- India’s National Investigation Agency
- Legal provisions
- Anti-Hijacking Act and UAPA
Sources
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