Stories
NIA Launches Major Terror Probe into Fly Dubai Attempted Hijacking
- •India's National Investigation Agency has invoked the Anti-Hijacking Act and UAPA regarding an alleged mid-air attack on an Israel-bound flight.
- •An Omani pilot is accused of attempted hijacking, with investigators actively probing the motive and sequence of events.
- •Authorities are examining potential links to a wider terror network as the investigation into aviation security continues.
Key Questions Answered
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has invoked Section 3 of the Anti-Hijacking Act, 2016, along with Sections 16, 18, and 20 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) to investigate potential terror motives and conspiracy networks behind the incident.
On September 30, 2026, during a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv, Omani co-pilot Hammam al-Hammami allegedly attacked Indian Captain Smit Machchhar inside the cockpit. Despite sustaining severe injuries, the captain managed to open the cockpit door, allowing crew and passengers to intervene and avert a disaster before making an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
Investigators are examining potential lone-wolf terror motives, digital evidence, ideological motivations, and radicalisation networks. Reports noted that pro-Palestinian leaflets and publications were found among the co-pilot's belongings, prompting a broader probe into whether the attack was inspired by external terrorist elements.
