India Registers Case To Probe Mid-Air Cockpit Attack on Captain Smit Machchhar Aboard Flydubai Flight FZ1073
The NIA has registered an FIR under the Anti-Hijacking Act and UAPA over the alleged mid-air attack on Indian captain Smit Machchhar aboard Flydubai flight FZ1073 on September 30. Directing the probe, the Centre cited an attempt to hijack or crash the aircraft carrying 174 passengers before it safely diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, where the co-pilot was held.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has registered an FIR into the alleged attempt to hijack or crash a Flydubai passenger aircraft after its Omani co-pilot allegedly stabbed Indian captain Smit Machchhar inside the cockpit during a flight on September 30. The case was registered, invoking Section 3 of the Anti-Hijacking Act, 2016 and the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 (UAPA).
According to the FIR, the Centre directed the agency to investigate the incident. flydubai flight FZ1073 departed Dubai on September 30 with 174 passengers and six crew members on board. The aircraft was being flown by Captain Machchhar, an Indian national, and an Omani first officer when the alleged attack took place.
Mid-Air Stabbing and Emergency Landing in Saudi Arabia
The FIR states that the first officer stabbed the captain in what passengers reported was an attempt to hijack the aircraft or cause it to crash. Machchhar sustained deep cuts to his head and hands during the assault.
Passengers and crew members allegedly managed to overpower and restrain the co-pilot. Other pilots on board subsequently took control of the aircraft and landed it safely at Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Airport in Tabuk, north-western Saudi Arabia, at 10.45 am Gulf Standard Time (GST). Saudi authorities arrested the co-pilot following the emergency landing.
Centre Invokes Anti-Terror and Hijacking Provisions
The FIR states that the Centre received information about the alleged attack and concluded that the offences cited in the incident come under the Anti-Hijacking Act and the UAPA. The two provisions cited in the case are scheduled offences under the National Investigation Agency Act, 2008.
Invoking sub-sections (5) and (8) of Section 6, read with Section 8 of the NIA Act, the government directed the agency to register a case and begin an investigation. The Centre said the alleged attack on an Indian pilot, coupled with the alleged attempt to hijack or crash a passenger aircraft, warranted an investigation by India's principal anti-terrorism agency.
The FIR, however, does not establish a motive for the attack or identify any additional individuals as participants in a conspiracy.
Diplomatic Follow-Up and Captain Machchhar's Recovery
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said last Wednesday that Captain Machchhar was responding well to treatment following an operation at a hospital in Abu Dhabi. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the Indian Embassy in the UAE had remained in regular contact with Machchhar's family, doctors, hospital officials and local authorities to monitor his condition.
"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," Jaiswal said during his bi-weekly media briefing.
India's ambassador to the UAE, Deepak Mittal, had visited Machchhar in hospital on October 1. Mittal said at the time that the captain was in good health and recovering well.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 10, 2026 04:50 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
