Dubai, 03 October (H.S.): United Arab Emirates (UAE) Attorney General Counsellor Dr. Hamad Saif Al Shamsi has said that the incident aboard flydubai Flight FZ1073 was an attempted terrorist act. He said the co-pilot began carrying out his plan during the flight, attacking the captain inside the flight deck with a crash axe and attempting to take control of the aircraft. The UAE Attorney General's statement was reported by the Emirates News Agency (WAM).

According to the Attorney General, investigations are continuing to establish the full circumstances of the incident, the motive and any possible links. Technical examinations and analysis of physical and digital evidence are also underway. He said the final findings would be announced after all necessary procedures had been completed.

In a statement, the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that UAE Attorney General Counsellor Dr. Hamad Al Shamsi had ordered an investigation into the circumstances and causes of the incident. Following the order, a specialised investigation team began its work in coordination with the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) and other relevant UAE authorities.

The Attorney General also directed that all necessary steps be taken to collect information and evidence, establish the facts, and determine the circumstances and motive behind the incident. The investigation will also examine whether the incident was connected to any terrorist activity or intent, and whether it involved any prior planning or instructions.

The ministry said that, under applicable laws, UAE judicial authorities have jurisdiction to investigate the incident because the aircraft is registered in the UAE and operates under the UAE flag. Accordingly, UAE law applies to offences committed aboard the aircraft even when they occur outside UAE territory. The investigation will examine all circumstances and motives surrounding the incident, including any possible connection with terrorist activity or intent and whether the incident involved prior planning or direction.

Meanwhile, Rami Igra, former head of the Missing in Action (MIA) Unit of Israel's intelligence agency Mossad, described the incident as an act linked to what he characterised as a religious conflict and claimed that leaflets related to the Palestinian cause were found among the Omani co-pilot's belongings. These remain claims made by Igra and have not been established as the final findings of the official investigation.

Reacting to the serious incident in the cockpit of flydubai Flight FZ1073, Igra also praised the courage of the Indian captain, Smit Machchhar. In an interview, Igra said that the Indian captain played a crucial role during the crisis in the cockpit after recognising the gravity of the situation.

Igra claimed that the co-pilot attempted to take control of the aircraft during the flight. According to him, the actions of the Indian captain and the intervention of passengers helped prevent the situation from becoming even more serious. He said that had timely intervention in the cockpit not taken place, the lives of those aboard the aircraft could have been placed at grave risk.

The former Mossad official claimed that the co-pilot was an Omani national and that leaflets supporting the Palestinian cause had allegedly been found among his belongings. He said an important aspect of the investigation would be to determine whether the co-pilot had acted alone or whether any terrorist organisation or another individual was involved. Igra linked the incident to religious radicalisation and claimed that the co-pilot may have been influenced by the concept of martyrdom.

However, these are Igra's assessments and claims. The definitive circumstances and motive of the co-pilot can be established only after the official investigation is completed. The UAE authorities have said that the investigation is continuing to determine the full circumstances, motive and any possible links, including whether there was prior planning or direction.

Igra also discussed the possibility of a lone wolf attack, referring to an individual acting independently. According to him, radicalisation through online platforms has become a challenge for security agencies. He said the investigation should also determine whether the co-pilot had received instructions from any terrorist organisation.

Igra said the incident could prompt aviation-security agencies around the world to place greater emphasis on reviewing flight crew background checks and security procedures. He also highlighted the potential risk posed by an individual involved in the operation of an aircraft attempting to seize control of it.

It may be recalled that the incident occurred aboard flydubai Flight FZ1073, which was travelling from Dubai International Airport to Tel Aviv. The aircraft was diverted during the flight and, after an emergency, landed safely at Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia. The UAE subsequently initiated an investigation into the incident.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar