The investigation into the alleged mid-air attack on Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar aboard a Flydubai flight has taken a new turn, with two more pilots reportedly arrested in Dubai on suspicion of planning a terror attack.
According to reports by Maldivian news outlet Adhadhu, the two pilots are Maldivian nationals employed by Flydubai. They were reportedly taken into custody on Saturday. Both are said to have previously flown to Israel and worked alongside Hamam al-Hammami, the Omani co-pilot accused of attacking Machchhar. The two pilots have not been publicly charged, and authorities have not officially announced their arrests.
The case dates back to September 30, when Flydubai flight FZ1073 was travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv. Al-Hammami allegedly attacked Captain Machchhar with an axe inside the cockpit and attempted to take control of the aircraft. The plane was subsequently diverted and landed safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
Fresh questions have also emerged following an account shared by a passenger identified as Assaf. According to his testimony, some crew members allegedly attempted to loosen the accused co-pilot’s restraints and prevented passengers from recording the incident. He further claimed that someone tried to put a mysterious pill into the injured captain’s mouth.
The passenger also alleged that the flight had been staffed entirely by male cabin crew, raising questions about possible coordination among those onboard. However, these claims have not been independently confirmed by authorities.
Captain Machchhar, who has more than 13 years of flying experience, was praised for his actions during the incident. India’s National Investigation Agency has also registered a case under anti-hijacking and anti-terror laws, as investigators examine whether a larger conspiracy was involved.
