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Co-pilot held in attack on Indian captain aboard FlyDubai flight

Investigators are examining whether co-pilot Hammad Al-Hammami acted alone in assaulting Indian Captain Smit Machar aboard a FlyDubai aircraft bound for Israel, or whether he had links to militant groups.

LSN India · 5 October 2026

Co-pilot held in attack on Indian captain aboard FlyDubai flight

An Indian pilot came under attack aboard a FlyDubai flight en route to Israel, with authorities focusing their investigation on co-pilot Hammad Al-Hammami as the sole suspect in the incident. Captain Smit Machar was assaulted during the flight, prompting an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the attack.

Investigation teams have been working to establish the motive behind the assault and determine whether Al-Hammami acted independently or had connections to any extremist organizations. The co-pilot remains the primary focus of the inquiry as authorities piece together details of what transpired aboard the aircraft.

The incident has raised questions about security protocols on commercial flights operating in the region and the vetting procedures for flight crew members. Aviation authorities and intelligence agencies are coordinating their efforts to complete a comprehensive investigation into the attack.

The assault represents a serious breach of safety aboard a commercial aircraft and has prompted heightened scrutiny of security measures implemented by the airline and aviation regulators.