“The Indian flydubai pilot deserves the highest praise for confronting a dangerous act of terrorism and a potential catastrophe,” Gargash wrote.
By United with Israel Staff
The United Arab Emirates issued its first public characterization of the flydubai incident as terrorism Friday, with a senior adviser to the Emirati president praising the Indian captain who helped thwart what he described as a “dangerous terrorist act” and potential catastrophe.
Dr. Anwar Gargash, diplomatic adviser to UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, hailed flydubai Captain Smit Machchhar for his actions during the violent cockpit attack aboard Flight FZ1073.
“The Indian flydubai pilot deserves the highest praise for confronting a dangerous act of terrorism and a potential catastrophe,” Gargash wrote.
“He embodied the meaning of courage and responsibility. His professionalism and moral judgment under the most difficult circumstances make him a true hero.”
The statement marked the first time a senior Emirati official publicly described Wednesday’s incident as terrorism.
UAE authorities had previously stopped short of making such a determination, opening a formal investigation to establish whether the attack involved terrorist activity or intent, as well as whether there had been prior planning or outside direction.
The incident unfolded aboard flydubai Flight FZ1073 as it traveled from Dubai to Tel Aviv. Saudi authorities said preliminary findings showed that Machchhar was assaulted by his co-pilot, leaving both men injured.
During the struggle, the Boeing 737 plunged roughly 14,000 feet before passengers and crew intervened and the aircraft was eventually diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
Machchhar, who suffered serious injuries, has been widely credited with helping avert disaster.
Speaking from his hospital bed during a video call with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the veteran pilot described managing to open the cockpit door after he was attacked, allowing passengers and crew to intervene.
An additional team of flydubai pilots traveling aboard the aircraft subsequently took control and landed the plane safely in Saudi Arabia.
Israeli officials had previously described the incident as an attempted terrorist attack. Defense Minister Israel Katz called it an “attempted jihadist terror attack,” while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israeli authorities had information indicating that the co-pilot had undergone “Islamist radical indoctrination.”
The UAE investigation into the attacker’s motive and whether others were involved remains ongoing.
Gargash also cautioned against rushing to conspiracy theories surrounding the incident, while stressing the need for continued vigilance against extremism and terrorism.
Machchhar’s courage, responsibility and professionalism under extraordinary circumstances, the senior Emirati official said, made him a “true hero.”
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