# Indian Pilot Stabbed Inside Flydubai Cockpit in Mid-Air Hijack Attempt, NIA Files Terror Case

> The National Investigation Agency has registered a case under anti-terror and anti-hijacking laws after Captain Smit Machhar was stabbed inside a cockpit.

**Type:** article · **Category:** India · **Published:** 2026-10-10 · **Source:** TrendKia
**Canonical:** https://trendkia.com/en/national/flydubai-ke-kokapita-men-bharatiya-payalata-para-chaku-se-janaleva-vara-nia-ne-atnka-rodhi-kanunon-men-darja-kiya-kesa-45970 · **Language:** English
**Tags:** NIA, Flydubai, Smit Machhar, Anti Hijacking Act, UAPA, Aviation Safety

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.

## What this means for you
This mid-air cockpit attack raises serious concerns regarding in-flight security protocols and personnel screening across international carriers.

- **Across India:** The safety and legal protection of Indian commercial pilots operating on foreign international carriers will receive heightened priority. Indian authorities are likely to strengthen investigative and consular cooperation with overseas aviation bodies.
- **In Aviation:** Cockpit access protocols and psychological evaluations for flight crew members may see rigorous global revisions. Airlines are likely to implement tighter monitoring mechanisms to prevent sudden security breaches mid-air.
- **For Passengers:** Enhanced surveillance and stringent security screening around cockpit areas will aim to reassure global travelers. Routine flight operations and standard schedules, however, are expected to continue without immediate disruption.
- **Legal Action:** Invoking strict anti-hijacking and anti-terror provisions ensures the accused faces exhaustive criminal proceedings under Indian law. The investigation could set significant legal precedents for extraterritorial aviation offenses.

## Why this happened
This case emerged following a violent mid-air attack inside an airliner's cockpit where a first officer assaulted the commanding captain.

- **Direct Trigger:** On September 30, aboard a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv, the co-pilot stabbed Indian captain Smit Machhar inside the cockpit. The violent act was apparently an attempt to either hijack or crash the commercial aircraft.
- **Statutory Mandate:** Due to the potential terror implications and the targeting of an Indian national aboard an international flight, India's premier agency intervened. The NIA invoked specialized counter-terror and anti-hijacking statutes in its FIR filed on October 9.
- **Subsequent Steps:** Investigators will now scrutinize the co-pilot's motives, prior background, and potential security lapses that permitted a weapon inside the cockpit.

## Questions & Answers

### 1. When and where was Captain Smit Machhar attacked?
The attack occurred on September 30 inside the cockpit of Flydubai flight FZ1073 while traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv.

### 2. Who carried out the attack and what was the alleged motive?
The captain was stabbed by his co-pilot in what appeared to be an attempt to hijack or crash the aircraft.

### 3. Under which laws has the NIA registered the case?
The case has been filed under provisions of the Anti-Hijacking Act, 2016, and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.

### 4. When did the NIA officially register the FIR?
According to officials, the NIA formally registered the FIR on October 9.

---
_TrendKia — Har trend, sabse pehle.. Machine-readable view; canonical HTML at the URL above._