India to probe attack on Indian pilot on flydubai flight; NIA files case under anti-hijacking law, UAPA
The aircraft was flying near the Jordan-Saudi Arabia border when it reportedly made a sharp dive and turned back towards Saudi airspace.
PTC News Desk: The Central Government has directed the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to register a case and investigate an alleged attack on Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar aboard a FlyDubai flight. The aircraft reportedly made a sudden dive and turned back towards Saudi airspace following an altercation inside the cockpit.
According to information cited in the government order, FlyDubai Flight 1073 departed Dubai on September 30 at 7.05 am Gulf Standard Time (GST). The flight was piloted by Indian national Captain Smit Machchhar, with an Omani first officer. It was carrying 174 passengers and six crew members.
The aircraft was flying near the Jordan-Saudi Arabia border when it reportedly made a sharp dive and turned back towards Saudi airspace.
First Officer accused of attacking Captain
According to the government, passengers reported that the Omani first officer stabbed Captain Machchhar during the flight. The incident was suspected to be an attempt to hijack the aircraft or deliberately cause it to crash.
Passengers and crew members reportedly overpowered the first officer and restrained him after the attack. Captain Machchhar suffered deep cuts to his head and hands, according to details cited in the government order.
Following the incident, other FlyDubai pilots who were travelling on board took control of the aircraft and landed it safely at Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Airport in Tabuk, northwestern Saudi Arabia, at around 10.45 am GST.
The first officer was subsequently arrested by Saudi authorities, the government said.
NIA to investigate possible larger conspiracy
The Central Government said the incident involved alleged offences against an Indian national under Section 3 of the Anti-Hijacking Act, 2016, and Section 16 read with Section 15(1)(a) of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967. These offences fall under the scheduled offences covered by the National Investigation Agency Act, 2008.
The government described the incident as a serious attack on an Indian pilot and a suspected attempt to hijack or crash the aircraft. It said the case had significant national and international implications and required a detailed investigation to determine whether a larger conspiracy was involved.
The government has therefore directed the NIA to register a case and investigate the incident under the relevant provisions of the NIA Act. The order was issued under Sections 6(5), 6(8) and 8 of the Act.
The investigation is expected to examine the circumstances surrounding the alleged attack, what happened inside the cockpit and whether the incident was linked to any wider conspiracy. However, the government order does not provide further details about the first officer’s alleged motive or what led to the reported confrontation.