Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the co-pilot who attacked Captain Smit Machchhar on Wednesday was radicalised. The flydubai flight FZ1073, carrying 174 people, plunged 14,000 feet after the stabbing. Machchhar survived the cockpit attack, and the plane landed safely in Tabuk. Netanyahu said, “We know that he underwent Islamist radical indoctrination.”
“We once again salute Captain Smit Machchhar’s valour and courage. We also convey our deep appreciation for the admiration and support he has received from across the world for his act of gallantry,” the ministry said.
Machchhar was seriously injured during the cockpit attack but survived. After the aircraft landed in Tabuk, he was taken to hospital for treatment.
Earlier, the Consulate General of India in Dubai said Deepak Mittal, Ambassador to the UAE, visited Captain Smit Machchhar and his family at the hospital.
The ambassador said, “He was speaking openly, smiling and laughing, which was a great relief for us and, above all, for his family.” he added that the captain was receiving “good medical treatment and that the Indian embassy remains in constant touch with the UAE authorities.
The health update comes even as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed that the co-pilot who attacked the Indian pilot had undergone Islamist radical indoctrination and appeared to be suicidal. However, Netanyahu also cautioned that investigators had not yet reached a conclusion about the attack or its motive, news agency Reuters reported.
The flydubai flight FZ1073 incident took place on Wednesday aboard the plane, which was travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv. The co-pilot allegedly stabbed Machchhar in the cockpit as the aircraft was flying over Saudi Arabia. The wounded captain managed to unlock the cockpit door, allowing passengers to enter and help restrain the attacker. A reserve crew member who was on board then took control of the aircraft and landed it safely at Tabuk in northwestern Saudi Arabia.
The aircraft had 174 people on board. During the incident, the Boeing 737 plunged more than 14,000 feet in less than 30 seconds, according to flight-tracking data cited by Reuters.
What Netanyahu said about the co-pilot
“We know that he underwent Islamist radical indoctrination,” Netanyahu said in an interview with Fox News, adding that this appeared to have emerged from information gathered about the co-pilot’s personal background.
Netanyahu also said it appeared the co-pilot was suicidal and that he believed the attacker was trying to bring down the aircraft.
“If you couple that with the Islamist tendencies, that radicalization that are found in his background, I think that’s … a pretty good clue,” Netanyahu said.
But he added, “I don’t make final conclusions yet. But that’s the indications we have now.”
The remarks came as investigators in several countries continued to examine the attack. The UAE has launched an investigation into the circumstances and motives, including whether the incident was connected to terrorist activity or involved prior planning or direction, news agencies reported.
Who is the flydubai co-pilot?
Israeli officials have identified the attacker as an Omani national, but his name has not been publicly disclosed. Omani authorities have not commented on the incident.
Two Israeli security officials said the initial assessment was that the co-pilot was likely acting alone, although the investigation was still under way.
Netanyahu said the attacker was being investigated in Saudi Arabia and that he believed the co-pilot would subsequently be taken to the UAE. Israeli officials have also been involved in the investigation.
A regional official briefed on the investigation told the Associated Press that authorities were considering all possible scenarios, including terrorism and mental disorders, and that nothing had been ruled out. AP also reported that the co-pilot had not been publicly identified.
Was Iran involved?
Netanyahu said it was too early to determine whether the co-pilot had any connection to Iran. “We’ll get to the root of this attacker, whether he had accomplices, whether Iran was behind it. I think we’ll find out very soon,” he said.
However, two Israeli security officials also said Israel had not identified any Iranian involvement so far.
Netanyahu’s comments, therefore, remain an indication of what Israeli authorities are investigating rather than an established finding about the attacker’s links or motive.
How Machchhar helped avert the disaster
According to accounts from passengers and officials, the attack left Machchhar seriously wounded while the aircraft entered a steep descent. Despite his injuries, he managed to unlock the cockpit door. Passengers then entered the cockpit and overpowered the attacker.
Israeli passenger Yaniv Hayun later described rushing into the cockpit and helping remove the attacker. He said he then grabbed the aircraft’s controls and pulled up the yoke to help stabilise the plane.
A reserve crew aboard the aircraft ultimately took control and diverted the flight to Tabuk.
Netanyahu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have both praised Machchhar for his actions during the emergency. Modi said the pilot’s courage and presence of mind helped save the lives of those on board.
Investigation underway
The UAE has said its investigation will establish the circumstances surrounding the attack and determine its motive, including whether it was connected to terrorism or involved prior planning.
Israel is also investigating the incident. Netanyahu said Israeli authorities would follow the investigation and potentially participate in it. The incident has also prompted Israel to review security checks for pilots flying into the country. Israeli officials said security procedures for pilots operating flights to Israel would be strengthened following the attack, The Times of Israel reported.