Dubai: Two Maldivian pilots employed by flydubai have reportedly been arrested by United Arab Emirates (UAE) police in connection with an investigation into an alleged attempt by an Omani co-pilot to hijack and crash a Dubai-Tel Aviv flight, in which Indian Captain Smit Machchhar was injured while resisting the suspected attack.

The two pilots were taken into custody on October 3, according to Maldivian news portal Adhadhu. Their families have reportedly been formally informed of their detention by the Maldivian Embassy in the UAE.

Maldivian authorities have declined to comment on the reported arrests, the portal said. UAE authorities have not publicly disclosed details of the allegations against the two men or confirmed the extent of their suspected involvement in the September 30 incident.

Investigation widens into alleged hijack attempt

The arrests come as UAE authorities investigate the alleged attack involving flydubai co-pilot Hammam al-Hammami, an Omani national accused of assaulting Captain Machchhar during flight FZ1073.

According to the Male-based newspaper Mihaaru, the two detained pilots are believed to have interacted with al-Hammami at their workplace and lived in the same building as him.

However, investigators have not officially disclosed the nature of their alleged connections to the incident or the evidence, if any, linking them to the suspected plot.

News portal edition.mv reported that the two men were among six Maldivian nationals employed as pilots by flydubai. They were reportedly the airline’s most recent recruits from the Maldives.

The reported arrests mark a widening of the investigation beyond the accused co-pilot. Whether the detained pilots had any knowledge of, or involvement in, the alleged plan remains unclear, and no official findings establishing their culpability have been announced.

Details of the mid-air attack

Flight FZ1073 was carrying 174 passengers and crew members from Dubai to Tel Aviv when the alleged attack occurred on September 30.

According to reports, al-Hammami allegedly attacked Captain Machchhar with an axe and attempted to take control of the aircraft as part of a plan to hijack and crash it. The pilot sustained serious injuries but resisted the attack and managed to unlock the cockpit door.

Crew members and passengers then reportedly entered the cockpit, overpowered the alleged attacker and helped stabilise the situation.

The aircraft subsequently made an emergency landing at Tabuk airport in Saudi Arabia.

The UAE authorities have described the incident as an attempted terrorist attack and identified al-Hammami as a 29-year-old Omani national. They have also alleged that he supported extremist ideologies and said Omani authorities had previously barred him from obtaining a pilot’s licence.

These allegations have raised questions about the circumstances surrounding his recruitment by flydubai despite the reported restriction. Investigators are examining the suspected motive behind the incident and whether other individuals were involved.

UAE and regional agencies coordinate investigation

The UAE Attorney General has said a comprehensive investigation is being conducted in coordination with regional security agencies. The probe is intended to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and determine whether the accused had links with other individuals or groups.

The reported detention of the two Maldivian pilots adds another dimension to the inquiry. However, the authorities have not publicly explained what role, if any, the two men may have played or whether the arrests were based on evidence of direct involvement, prior knowledge or other circumstances.

The absence of detailed official information means the allegations against the detained pilots remain unverified publicly. Their reported detention should not be taken as proof of involvement in the alleged plot.

NIA registers case in India

India’s National Investigation Agency (NIA) has also registered a case to investigate the alleged mid-air attack on Captain Machchhar and uncover any wider conspiracy behind the incident.

The case was registered under the Anti-Hijacking Act and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), according to the report.

The investigation is expected to examine the circumstances of the alleged attack and any potential links that may fall within the agency’s jurisdiction.

The incident has drawn attention in India because of the injuries sustained by Machchhar, an Indian national, while attempting to resist the alleged attack and protect the aircraft and those on board.

Indian pilot recovering after surgery

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) had earlier said that Machchhar was responding well to treatment following an operation at a hospital in Abu Dhabi.

The Indian Embassy in the UAE has remained in regular contact with his family, doctors, hospital officials and local authorities to monitor his condition and provide assistance.

As investigations continue across the UAE and India, further details are awaited regarding the evidence against the detained pilots, the alleged motive behind the attack and whether investigators establish links between the suspects.

For now, UAE authorities have not publicly confirmed the full circumstances of the reported arrests or disclosed findings establishing the involvement of the two Maldivian pilots.