UAE terms FlyDubai flight incident a ‘terrorist act’, praises pilot Smit Machchhar

Recently, a FlyDubai flight experienced a mid-air crisis while travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv. The co-pilot of the flight attacked Indian captain Smit Machchhar in an alleged attempt to crash the flight carrying more than 170 passengers.

The FlyDubai incident has left people shocked across the country. Amid this, UAE presidential adviser Anwar Gargash on Friday called the alleged attack aboard the flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv a “terrorist act”. He also praised the Indian captain it, who was attacked by his co-pilot during an alleged attempt to crash the aeroplane.

FlyDubai incident a ‘terrorist act’

Gargash on X said that Captain Smit Machchhar was a "true hero" and deserved "every appreciation, for in confronting a serious terrorist act and a potential disaster, he embodied the true meaning of courage and responsibility".

Quick answers to key questions

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QUESTIONS

During the FlyDubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv, co-pilot attacked Captain Smit Machchhar in an apparent attempt to crash the aircraft. The plane was diverted to Saudi Arabia after losing significant altitude.

UAE presidential adviser Anwar Gargash termed the attack a 'terrorist act' due to its severe implications and the potential disaster averted by Captain Machchhar's actions.

Despite sustaining severe injuries, Captain Machchhar opened the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew to assist in overpowering the attacker during the flight emergency.

The incident raised questions about the effectiveness of psychological evaluations for pilots, particularly regarding their mental health history and potential risks before being cleared for duty.

Yes, security experts believe the incident indicates a major security failure, suggesting a need for stricter screening processes and potentially more comprehensive measures to prevent similar attacks.

Earlier, Israel’s Consul General in Mumbai, Yaniv Revach, had condemned the incident as a act of terror.

Revach told news agency ANI, “First of all, I don't think that it might be a terror attack. It is a terror attack. So there's not even a question or a doubt about it. First of all, we just want to express our deepest gratitude on behalf of the State of Israel and the people of Israel. And we would like to honour the exceptional behaviour of Captain Smit Machchhar.”

“I'm sorry to say, but Israel is on high time and high alert already for 80 years. It's not something new. We are used to being threatened by a terrorist organisation,” he added.

About the Author

Sneha Biswas specialises in covering entertainment and pop culture, with a specialisation on Bollywood, Hollywood, OTT platforms, K-pop, K-dramas, and major developments in the US entertainment industry. She believes in telling stories that balance speed with substance, and in making entertainment journalism contextual, culturally aware, and reader-first rather than purely reactive.<br><br> With over six years of experience in digital media, Sneha currently serves as a Deputy Chief Content Producer at Live Mint. She has spent more than three and a half years with the HT Group and returned to the organisation in February 2025, joining Live Mint to uplift the entertainment section. Over the past year, she has been closely involved in entertainment coverage including breaking news, explainers, trend reporting, box office reports and analysis for the audience.<br><br> Sneha is Google News certified, having completed training focused on newsroom best practices, digital reporting, and SEO-driven content strategies. Her work reflects a strong understanding of audience behaviour, search trends, and the evolving consumption patterns of entertainment news across formats.<br><br> Prior to her current role, Sneha has worked across multiple content and editorial functions within digital newsrooms, building expertise in content planning, editing, and real-time coverage. Her professional interests lie at the intersection of entertainment, internet culture, and global pop trends.<br><br> Working for the National city team, Biswas closely follows global entertainment movements while maintaining a strong pulse on what is happening in India.