NIA to probe mid-air attack on Indian pilot Smita Machchhar on flydubai flight

Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, met with Captain Smit Machchhar October 3, 2026 | Photo credit: Reuters

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has registered a case in connection with the alleged mid-air hijacking of an Israel-bound flydubai flight and the September 30 attack on its Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar.

The agency referred to Section 3 of the Act on Protection against Kidnapping and Section 16 as amended with Section 15(1)(a). a) of the Act on Illegal Activities (Prevention). The First Information Report (FIR) identifies the accused who assaulted Captain Machchhar as the “Omani First Officer of flydubai Flight No. 1073”.

Narrating the sequence of events, the FIR states that the Omani co-pilot stabbed Captain Machchhar in an apparent attempt to hijack or crash the plane. Mr. Machchhar suffered deep cuts on his head and hands. The incident occurred in Saudi Arabian airspace near the border between Jordan and Saudi Arabia.

The government referred the matter to the NIA for registration of a case and investigation, citing the “serious national and international implications” of the attack and the need to investigate a possible “larger conspiracy”.

As part of an investigation, the agency may record eyewitness accounts, examine the accused’s statements, and analyze flight data to establish the sequence of events.

According to information received by the central government, the flydubai flight departed Dubai at 7:05 a.m. on September 30 with 174 passengers and six crew members on board. At 9:21 a.m., the aircraft reportedly descended rapidly and turned back into Saudi airspace while flying near the border between Jordan and Saudi Arabia.

Passengers reported that the first officer stabbed Captain Machchhar, but was overpowered and restrained by passengers and crew members. The other pilots on board subsequently landed the plane safely at Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Airport in Tabuk, northwestern Saudi Arabia, at around 10:45 a.m. Saudi authorities later detained the first officer.

Captain Machchhar was airlifted to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, where he is recovering in hospital. His statement may also be recorded.

Published – 10 October 2026 16:15 IST