Flydubai Cockpit Attack: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has registered a case to investigate the September 30 mid-air cockpit attack on Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar aboard a Flydubai flight, invoking strict anti-terror and anti-hijacking laws.

"The NIA has invoked the Anti-Hijacking Act, 2016, and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) to investigate a mid-air cockpit attack on an Israel-bound Flydubai flight. The FIR includes provisions related to hijacking, terrorist acts, conspiracy and membership of a terrorist organisation to probe the attack, possible lone-wolf terror motives and radicalisation networks," news agency IANS reported, citing NIA sources.

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What Happened Aboard Flydubai Flight?

The attack occurred inside the cockpit of Flydubai flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv. Captain Machchhar was stabbed and seriously injured by his co-pilot in an alleged attempt to "hijack or cause the aircraft to crash".

Despite suffering serious injuries, Captain Machchhar managed to unlock the cockpit door, enabling crew members and passengers to overpower the co-pilot and prevent a major tragedy. The aircraft was subsequently diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, where the injured pilot received emergency treatment before being transferred to Abu Dhabi for further care.

MEA Shares Captain Machchhar's Health Update

Captain Machchhar underwent surgery and has been recovering in Abu Dhabi. Earlier on Wednesday, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said that Captain Machchhar's condition was improving.

"According to the information that we have, his health is improving, and after the operation, he is in the stage of recuperation. He is responding well," MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said during a bi-weekly media briefing.

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Jaiswal added that the Indian Embassy in the UAE remains in regular contact with Machchhar's family, doctors, hospital officials and local authorities to monitor his condition.

Earlier, India's Ambassador to the UAE, Deepak Mittal, visited Captain Machchhar in the hospital on October 1 and confirmed he was in good health and recovering well.

(With Inputs From Agencies)