World
UAE Treats FlyDubai Stabbing As Terror Probe
Investigators are examining planning, direction, and cross-border security risks.
Investigators are examining planning, direction, and cross-border security risks.
A flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv turned into a cockpit attack when one pilot stabbed the other and, officials said, seemed to try to crash the plane. The injured captain, Indian pilot , managed to open the cockpit door. Passengers and crew then restrained the suspect before the plane was diverted and landed safely in , Saudi Arabia.
The UAE says the case is being handled as a possible , not only as an onboard assault. Its prosecutors are looking into whether the attack was planned or directed from outside. Saudi, Israeli, and Indian officials have praised the crew's response. The case shows how quick action can stop a disaster, but also how one attack can trigger a cross-border probe and disrupt travel.
The latest official updates said Machchhar was in good health and recovering well after the stabbing. Authorities said the was still underway, with the motive and any possible terror link not yet resolved.
Reporting said the suspect was being questioned by Saudi authorities and that a security team transferred him to the United Arab Emirates for further investigation. The became part of the wider jurisdictional handling of the case.
UAE Hamad Saif Al Shamsi ordered a to examine the incident. The inquiry was directed to determine whether the attack involved , , or .
Saudi Arabia said it had opened a into the assault, with a UAE security team taking part. The UAE also said its judicial authorities had jurisdiction because the aircraft is and .
The injured captain was identified as Smit Machchhar, and officials in Israel and the UAE publicly praised his actions. Israeli leaders said he helped prevent a much worse outcome, while Indian officials highlighted his recovery and bravery.
The aircraft was diverted to , Saudi Arabia, where it landed safely after the cockpit assault. Saudi authorities said the aircraft came down after an emergency response involving local officials and a UAE security team.
Passengers and crew overpowered the suspect before the flight landed, stabilizing the situation enough for a . Saudi and Israeli accounts later said the suspect was after the attack and the aircraft remained under control.
Despite being injured, Machchhar reportedly managed to open the , allowing passengers and crew to rush in and stop the suspect. Reports said this helped prevent the situation from escalating further inside the aircraft.
Israeli and other reporting said the allegedly stabbed and tried to crash the aircraft during the flight. Officials described the incident as a severe rather than a routine aviation dispute.
was traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv with passengers on board when the in-flight crisis began, putting a full commercial flight at risk. The aircraft later became the center of a involving the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Israel, and India.