Sabotaging Regional Ties? NIA Probes If Flydubai Attack Aimed To Damage India-UAE-Israel Relations

Last Updated:October 10, 2026, 7:24 PM IST

An NIA team could travel to the UAE to record the statement of Captain Smit Machchhar and is also expected to meet UAE investigators to seek access to the attacker

Whether al-Hammami specifically chose a flight with an Indian captain remains a key question for Indian investigators. Representational image/AI-generated

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has begun its probe into the Flydubai incident, registering an FIR under sections of the Anti-Hijacking Act and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) on Saturday.

While international probes are focused on the motivation of the Omani co-pilot, identified as Hammam al-Hammami, who attacked Captain Smit Machchhar, the NIA investigation is also examining whether damaging India’s relations with friendly countries like Israel and the UAE was part of a larger international conspiracy.

The NIA stated in its FIR, “And whereas, the Central Government is of the opinion that a scheduled offence under the National Investigation Agency Act, 2008 has been committed and the case is related to attack on an Indian National Pilot Captain Smit Machchhar with an apparent attempt to hijack or crash the plane FlyDubai Flight No. 1073 on 30.09.2026, 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 thorough investigation by the National Investigation Agency in accordance with the provisions of the National Investigation Agency Act, 2008.”

“Thankfully, the quick thinking and bravery of the Indian pilot saved the day, but if the co-pilot had succeeded in his motive of crashing the planethere would have been no survivors and fingers could be pointed at India since the captain is Indian,” a government official told News18.

Israeli intelligence agencies have claimed that the co-pilot, al-Hammami, confessed he wanted to avenge Gaza, while Donald Trump has alleged an Iranian hand in the conspiracy. However, Indian agencies are also looking closely at the excellent relations India shares with Israel and the UAE and whether damaging those ties was part of al-Hammami’s motivation. “Nothing is being ruled out at this stage,” an investigator said.

The probe so far has revealed that in July this year, al-Hammami first planned to hijack an aircraft to target Israeli assets and interests. Reports suggest he abandoned that plan because one of the crew members was known to him. He subsequently carried out meticulous planning to target a Flydubai flight to Tel Aviv. Whether he specifically chose a flight with an Indian captain remains a key question for Indian investigators.

Sources said Indian agencies have been in touch with their UAE counterparts since al-Hammami was taken into custody. An NIA team could travel to the UAE to record the statement of Captain Smit Machchar once medical clearance is given and is also expected to meet UAE investigators to seek access to al-Hammami.

The NIA has invoked Section 3 of the Anti-Hijacking Act, 2016, and Section 16 read with Section 15(1)(a) of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, in its FIR.

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What legal provisions has the NIA invoked for the Flydubai cockpit attack probe?

The National Investigation Agency registered an FIR under Section 3 of the Anti-Hijacking Act, 2016, and sections 15(1)(a) and 16 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) to investigate the incident.

Who was the pilot targeted in the Flydubai flight cockpit attack incident?

The flight’s Indian captain, Smit Machchhar, was attacked inside the cockpit by Omani co-pilot Hammam al-Hammami during a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv.

Why is the NIA examining international relations in the Flydubai investigation?

Investigators are exploring whether the attack by the Omani co-pilot, aimed at crashing the Tel Aviv-bound plane, was an international conspiracy intended to damage India’s friendly ties with Israel and the UAE.

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Arunima

Arunima is Editor (Home Affairs) and covers strategic, security and political affairs. From the Ukraine-Russia War to the India-China stand-off in Ladakh to India-Pak clashes, she has reported from gr…Read More

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