India's NIA to probe alleged mid-air attack on flydubai pilot
Agency investigates suspected hijacking attempt and wider conspiracy.
India's National Investigation Agency (NIA) has registered a case to investigate an alleged mid-air attack on the captain of an Israel-bound flydubai flight, with officials saying the probe will seek to uncover a possible wider conspiracy.
The case concerns an incident on 30 September, when an Omani first officer allegedly stabbed Captain Smit Machchhar inside the cockpit of flydubai flight 1073 while it was travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv.
According to the first information report (FIR) filed by the NIA yesterday (9 October), the attack occurred in Saudi airspace near the Jordan-Saudi Arabia border and was allegedly an attempt to hijack the aircraft or cause it to crash.
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The FIR identifies the Omani first officer as the accused.
Officials said the case was registered on the direction of India's Home Ministry, citing the gravity of the alleged offence and the need to investigate the suspected wider conspiracy.
The NIA has invoked Section 3 of the Anti-Hijacking Act, 2016, which deals with hijacking, along with Section 16 read with Section 15(1)(a) of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.
Section 16 of the UAPA prescribes punishment for terrorist acts, while Section 15(1)(a) covers acts intended or likely to threaten India's unity, integrity, security or sovereignty, or to strike terror in people in India or abroad, using explosives, firearms, other lethal weapons or other hazardous means.
Machchhar sustained serious injuries after being stabbed inside the cockpit during the flight.
The FIR states that passengers reported the first officer attacking the captain in what appeared to be an attempt to hijack the aircraft or crash it.
Passengers and crew members eventually overpowered and restrained the accused, according to the report.
"Captain Smit Machchhar sustained deep cuts to the head and hands as a result of the attack," the FIR said.
The NIA will investigate the circumstances of the incident and the alleged motives behind the attack.
