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NIA invokes Anti-hijacking Act to probe flydubai incident, stabbing of Indian pilot Smit Machchhar
The Boeing 737 MAX 8 carrying 174 people made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia after the cockpit attack.
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The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has launched a probe into the stabbing of an Indian captain allegedly by his co-pilot aboard a flydubai flight to Tel Aviv in what investigators suspect was an attempt to hijack or crash the plane, officials aware of the matter said on Saturday.
The federal anti-terror agency, which was asked by the ministry of home affairs (MHA) to probe the incident, has registered a case under relevant sections of the Anti-Hijacking Act, 2016, and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) to investigate a “larger conspiracy” behind the attack, the officials said, requesting anonymity. NIA is empowered to investigate terror cases involving Indian citizens even when they occur abroad.
Also read: ‘Responding well’: MEA gives health update on pilot Smit Machchhar after flydubai cockpit attack
NIA registers case over flydubai cockpit attack
“…The case is related to attack on an Indian national with an apparent attempt to hijack or crash the plane…and having regard to the gravity of the offence, its grave national and international ramifications, and the need to unearth the larger conspiracy, the matter requires investigation by NIA,” said the FIR, filed by the agency on Friday. HT has seen a copy of the FIR.
On September 30, Indian captain Smit Machchhar was attacked with the cockpit’s crash axe by his co-pilot, Omani national Hamam al-Hammami, who, according to investigators from other countries, attempted to seize control of the plane. Despite suffering deep cuts to head and hands, Machchhar unlocked the cockpit door of flight FZ-1073, which had taken off from Dubai, allowing passengers and crew to overpower the attacker. A reserve crew on board then flew the Boeing 737 MAX 8, with 174 people on board, to an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia.
Also read: Stabbed flydubai pilot Smit Machchhar is Indian national, worked with SpiceJet earlier
Pilot attacked with crash axe during flight
The co-pilot stabbed Machchhar during the flight “in an apparent attempt to hijack or crash the plane but was overwhelmed and restrained by passengers and crew,” the FIR said, adding that the act involves “commission of offences against an Indian national - Machchhar”.
Last week, officials aware of the matter said that Hamam was barred from flying on his country’s airline because of concerns about his extremist views. UAE, which is leading the investigation, called the incident a “terrorist attack”. Saudi Arabia and Israeli authorities are also probing the incident, with Indian officials aware of the matter saying that they will get in touch with their counterparts from the three countries and also flydubai to get more details about the incident.
The Indian pilot is currently undergoing treatment at a hospital in the UAE. Leaders from across the world, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu, have praised Machchhar for averting a “9/11-like tragedy”. Israel on Thursday announced that it will honour Machchhar with the Presidential Award for Civilian Heroism for his “sheer bravery and sound professionalism” in averting a catastrophe.
