Hamam al-Hammami, the accused co-pilot in the flydubai incident
The probe into the flydubai stabbing incident has widened as two Maldivian pilots were also detained just 3 days after Omani copilot attacked Indian pilot Smit Machchhar on September 30.The two Maldivian pilots were detained in UAE on October 3, as per PTI quoting Maldivian news portal Adhadhu. Their identities have not been revelaed publicly, however, their families have been formally informed by the Maldivian Embassy in the United Arab Emirates. Additionally, there has been no confirmation on this development by the authorities.The arrests come as authorities investigate the alleged links of the two men to the accused co-pilot, Omani national Hammam al-Hammami.According to Maldivian newspaper Mihaaru (cited by PTI), the two pilots are believed to have interacted with al-Hammami at their workplace and lived in the same building as him. However, authorities have not officially disclosed the nature of their alleged links to the incident or the evidence against them.The two are reportedly among six Maldivian nationals working as pilots for flydubai and are reportedly the airline's most recent recruits from the Maldives.
The incident involved flight FZ1073, which was carrying 174 passengers and crew members from Dubai to Tel Aviv. Al-Hammami, 29, allegedly attacked the flight's pilot, Indian national Machchhar, with an axe and stabbed him in an attempt to seize control of the aircraft and carry out what the UAE has described as a "terrorist attack".Despite sustaining serious injuries, Machchhar resisted the alleged assault and managed to unlock the cockpit door.
Crew members and passengers then entered the cockpit, overpowered the co-pilot and helped stabilise the aircraft. The plane subsequently made an emergency landing at Tabuk airport in Saudi Arabia.UAE authorities have said al-Hammami was suspected of supporting extremist ideologies and that Omani authorities had previously barred him from obtaining a pilot's licence. Investigators are examining how he was recruited by flydubai despite the reported restriction, along with the motive behind the alleged plot.The UAE Attorney General has said a comprehensive investigation is underway in coordination with regional security agencies to establish the circumstances of the incident and determine whether al-Hammami had links with other individuals or groups.
Meanwhile, in India, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) registered a case last week to probe the alleged mid-air attack and uncover the larger conspiracy behind it.
The case has been registered under the Anti-Hijacking Act and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, bringing the incident under the purview of India's anti-terror investigation agency.MEA had earlier said Machchhar was responding well to treatment after undergoing surgery at a hospital in Abu Dhabi. The Indian Embassy in the UAE has been in regular contact with his family, doctors, hospital officials and local authorities to monitor his condition.