The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has officially taken over the probe into a mid-air knife assault on Indian pilot Captain Smit Machhar inside an aircraft cockpit. Agency officials confirmed on Saturday that a formal first information report has been registered to investigate the violent airborne incident that left the commander severely injured.
Stringent Anti-Hijacking and Terror Charges Invoked
Given the severe nature of the mid-air crime, the premier investigating agency invoked stringent anti-terror legislation. Officials stated that the case has been booked under relevant sections of the Anti-Hijacking Act, 2016, alongside the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967. The formal FIR was registered by the NIA on October 9, paving the way for a thorough counter-terror examination of the episode.
Suspected Plot to Hijack or Crash Flight FZ1073
According to details from the FIR cited by officials, the harrowing attack took place on September 30 aboard Flydubai flight FZ1073, which was operating between Dubai and Tel Aviv. Inside the locked cockpit, Machhar's co-pilot launched a sudden knife attack, inflicting grievous wounds on the Indian captain. Authorities indicated that the stabbing appeared to be an explicit attempt to hijack or crash the passenger airliner mid-flight.
