What happened
An Indian pilot, Captain Smit Machchhar, was attacked aboard Flydubai Flight 1073, which was carrying 174 people from Dubai to Tel Aviv. The alleged attacker, the Omani co-pilot, reportedly used a sharp object to injure Machchhar, who managed to open the cockpit door and allow others to restrain the co-pilot.
Despite suffering severe injuries, Machchhar helped stabilize the plane, which had rapidly lost altitude, and the aircraft was diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, where it made an emergency landing. The co-pilot was arrested by Saudi authorities after the landing.
Machchhar is currently recovering in a hospital in Abu Dhabi, where he was transferred after initial medical treatment in Tabuk. Indian and Israeli officials have praised Machchhar's actions during the incident, with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi calling him a hero.
Investigations are underway in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Israel to determine the circumstances surrounding the attack, including the suspect's motive and how the weapon was obtained. The UAE has opened an investigation into whether the incident involved terrorism or prior planning.
