UAE confirms flydubai attack was a 'terrorist act', President MBZ's adviser calls Indian Captain Smit Machchhar 'true hero'
UAE President's adviser has confirmed the flydubai cockpit attack as a 'terrorist act,' corroborating Israeli claims about the co-pilot being 'radicalised'
UAE President's adviser has declared the flydubai cockpit attack a "terrorist act," confirming the co-pilot was "radicalized" and praising Indian Captain Smit Machchhar as a hero for saving lives during the incident. The UAE is actively investigating the attack, emphasizing continued vigilance against extremism and terrorism following the co-pilot's arrest and handover by Saudi authorities.
UAE President's adviser has declared the flydubai cockpit attack a "terrorist act," confirming the co-pilot was "radicalized" and praising Indian Captain Smit Machchhar as a hero for saving lives during the incident. The UAE is actively investigating the attack, emphasizing continued vigilance against extremism and terrorism following the co-pilot's arrest and handover by Saudi authorities.
UAE President's adviser has declared the flydubai cockpit attack a "terrorist act," confirming the co-pilot was "radicalized" and praising Indian Captain Smit Machchhar as a hero for saving lives during the incident. The UAE is actively investigating the attack, emphasizing continued vigilance against extremism and terrorism following the co-pilot's arrest and handover by Saudi authorities.
UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan's adviser has referred to the flydubai cockpit attack a "terrorist act", confirming Israeli claims that the co-pilot who attacked the Indian Captain mid-air on Wednesday was a "radicalised" individual.
This is the first time that UAE, which is investigating the attack on flight FZ1073, has publicly confirmed the incident as a "terrorist act".
President MBZ's adviser Anwar Gargash said Indian Captain Smit Machchhar, who survived the attack and helped save lives of all aboard the flight, is a "true hero".
Despite being injured severely, Machchhar ensured that the cockpit door was unlocked. This allowed the passengers and cabin crew to enter the cockpit and subdue the co-pilot and enabled additional pilots on board to stabilise the aircraft, which descended around 17,000 feet in 30 seconds.
"The Indian pilot at flydubai named Machchhar deserves all the credit, as he embodied the meaning of courage and responsibility in the face of a dangerous terrorist act and a potential disaster. His professionalism and his sense of morality in the darkest of circumstances make him a true hero," Gargash said in his post.
"Far from easily reducing what happened or adopting and promoting conspiracy theories, vigilance and precautions remain a necessity in the face of the dangers of extremism and terrorism," he added.
After the Israel-bound flight from Dubai made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia's Tabuk airport, Saudi authorities arrested and interrogated the co-pilot. Later, he was handed over to the UAE, which is probing the "terror link". The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that UAE Attorney-General Hamad Al Shamsi has ordered the formation of a team of specialised members of the Public Prosecution to investigate the circumstances and causes of the incident. The co-pilot's identity, background and motive for the attack were yet to be revealed to the public.