NIA seeks Centre's nod to question pilot Smit Machchhar, access co-pilot in UAE

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) is preparing to send a team to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to record the statement of Indian pilot Smit Machchhar and obtain findings from local investigators probing last month's alleged hijacking attempt on a Flydubai flight bound for Tel Aviv.

The federal anti-terror agency will approach the Centre for the necessary permission before travelling to the UAE, officials familiar with the matter said. The team is expected to interact with UAE investigators to gather details of their findings and may also seek access to the arrested Omani co-pilot, Hamam al-Hammami, for questioning.

Machchhar is currently undergoing treatment at a hospital in the UAE after being attacked in the cockpit during the September 30 incident involving Flydubai flight FZ-1073.

NIA registers case to investigate larger conspiracy

The NIA registered a case last week to investigate what it described as a possible “larger conspiracy” behind the incident. The move followed the attack on Machchhar, an Indian citizen, and the potential national and international implications of the alleged hijacking attempt.

The agency's First Information Report (FIR), filed on October 9, stated that the incident involved an attack on an Indian national with an apparent attempt to hijack or crash the aircraft. It said the gravity of the offence and the need to uncover the wider conspiracy warranted an investigation by the NIA.

The agency has invoked provisions of the Anti-Hijacking Act, 2016, and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) in the case.

The NIA's proposed visit to the UAE is expected to help investigators gather evidence directly from Machchhar and examine the findings of the UAE authorities. Access to al-Hammami, if granted, could also help establish whether the accused acted alone or whether others were involved.

How the cockpit attack unfolded

The incident occurred on September 30 aboard Flydubai flight FZ-1073, which had departed Dubai for Tel Aviv. According to UAE investigators, al-Hammami attacked Machchhar inside the cockpit with a crash axe and attempted to take control of the aircraft.

Machchhar suffered deep cuts to his head and hands but managed to unlock the cockpit door, enabling passengers and crew members to overpower the attacker. A reserve crew member and other qualified pilots on board then took control of the Boeing 737 MAX 8.

The aircraft, carrying 174 people, made an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. The incident was subsequently investigated by UAE authorities, who arrested al-Hammami.

The NIA's investigation will run alongside the UAE's inquiry into the alleged attack and the circumstances surrounding the co-pilot's actions.

UAE alleges radicalisation and 9/11-inspired plot

Hamad Saif al-Shamsi, the UAE attorney general, said last week that al-Hammami had been radicalised while studying in Australia. According to the attorney general, the accused drew inspiration from the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in the United States.

Al-Shamsi said the co-pilot's alleged plan was to crash the aircraft into the terminal at Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv. These allegations form part of the UAE investigation into the motive behind the attack.

The NIA's proposed questioning of the accused would allow Indian investigators to examine these claims as part of their inquiry into the possible wider conspiracy.

Captain Machchhar receives international recognition

Machchhar's actions during the incident have drawn praise from leaders in India and abroad, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Both leaders have commended the pilot for helping avert what they described as a potential “9/11-like tragedy”.

Israel has also announced that Machchhar will receive the Presidential Award for Civilian Heroism in recognition of his “sheer bravery and sound professionalism” in preventing a possible catastrophe.

The Indian pilot remains under treatment at a hospital in the UAE. The NIA's planned visit will depend on the Centre granting the necessary permission and on arrangements with the UAE authorities.

The investigation is expected to focus on establishing the full sequence of events, determining the accused's motive and examining whether the attack was part of a broader conspiracy. Any questioning of al-Hammami by Indian investigators will require coordination with the UAE, where the criminal investigation is also under way.