The Centre has directed the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to register a case and investigate the alleged attack on Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar aboard FlyDubai Flight 1073 on September 30.
The Omani first officer reportedly stabbed the captain in an apparent attempt to hijack the aircraft or cause it to crash.
The flight departed Dubai at 7:05 am Gulf Standard Time, carrying 174 passengers and six crew members. While flying near the Jordan-Saudi Arabia border, the aircraft reportedly plunged sharply before turning back towards Saudi airspace.
Passengers and crew overpowered and restrained the first officer, while Machchhar sustained deep cuts to his head and hands.
Other FlyDubai pilots aboard the aircraft took control and landed safely at Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Airport in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, at around 10:45 am GST. Saudi authorities subsequently arrested the first officer.
NIA To Probe Possible Larger Conspiracy
The Centre cited offences under Section 3 of the Anti-Hijacking Act, 2016, and Sections 15(1)(a) and 16 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967. These are scheduled offences under the NIA Act, 2008.
The government said the attack on an Indian national had serious national and international implications, warranting a detailed probe into the circumstances, events inside the aircraft and any possible wider conspiracy.
The order does not specify the first officer’s alleged motive or what led to the attack.
