On September 30, 2026, a shocking incident aboard Flydubai Flight FZ1073, travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv, drew international attention after an alleged hijacking attempt and plot to crash the aircraft raised serious concerns about aviation security and the safety of innocent passengers. Indian Captain Smit Machchhar reportedly faced a violent attack by his co-pilot, Hamam al-Hammami, an Omani national, who allegedly attempted to seize control of the aircraft. According to reports, UAE authorities later described an alleged plan to crash the aircraft into the passenger terminal at Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport.

The aircraft ultimately landed safely at Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia following the captain’s resistance and the intervention of a reserve pilot, cabin crew members and courageous passengers. According to the account of the incident, the co-pilot allegedly returned from prayer carrying an emergency tool and attacked Captain Smit Machchhar from behind, striking him on the head. The captain reportedly did not immediately realise that he had been deliberately attacked and initially thought that something might have struck or damaged the aircraft. When the co-pilot allegedly attacked him repeatedly, blood blurred the captain’s vision, making it increasingly difficult for him to maintain control. Passengers reportedly heard unusual sounds from the cockpit, while cabin crew members attempted to open the cockpit door but were unsuccessful. With the co-pilot allegedly trying to seize control of the aircraft and threatening to crash it, the captain made a final, determined effort to regain control and open the door. Two passengers—including a man described as a plumber—reportedly entered the cockpit and helped restrain the co-pilot using whatever materials were available, while a doctor among those on board provided first aid to the injured captain. Reports also describe difficulties in obtaining emergency landing permission from Saudi Arabia and Jordan before the aircraft eventually landed safely at Tabuk. Following the landing, the co-pilot was reportedly arrested, while ambulances provided medical assistance to the injured captain and others who needed treatment. Reports further stated that an Israeli Air Force aircraft arrived and transported the captain and passengers onward. Captain Machchhar’s extraordinary courage and determination, together with the assistance of the reserve pilot, cabin crew and passengers, may have helped prevent a potential tragedy. However, the incident raises several urgent questions about cockpit security, emergency landing procedures and the circumstances surrounding the alleged hijacking and plan to crash the aircraft—questions that demand a transparent investigation and clear answers.

• How did this happen?
• Was it an individual act or part of a larger plan?
• Were there warning signs that the authorities failed to recognise?
• Were the co-pilot’s background, previous employment records and any credible security concerns properly examined before recruitment?
• If concerns about alleged extremist views had previously been raised, how were they handled, and was the relevant information shared with the airline and aviation authorities?
• Did an intelligence failure occur, and could this incident have been prevented?

These are questions investigators must answer through evidence, and the public deserves transparency and accountability wherever failures are established.

Another important question is how an individual becomes conditioned to hate others and potentially commit violence against innocent people. Across the world, people can be influenced by extremist ideologies, manipulative leaders, online propaganda and teachings that discourage independent thinking while portraying other communities as enemies. This danger is not limited to any one religion, country or group; anyone who exploits faith, nationality, politics or identity to spread hatred and justify violence must be questioned. We must be careful about whom we follow, whether they are religious leaders, faith teachers, political figures or social media influencers, because influence carries responsibility and blind obedience can have devastating consequences.

Teach children from an early age to think independently, examine evidence, question harmful teachings and respect people whose beliefs differ from their own. Faith should inspire compassion, peace, courage and service, not hatred or violence.

Captain Machchhar’s recited the Hanuman Chalisa during the ordeal. the prayer which provided strength and courage at that moment of extreme fear, and many may see his experience as a powerful reminder of Lord Hanuman’s bravery and protection. Just as the recently released movie Hanuman Ansh portrays the power and bravery associated with Lord Hanuman, now the world can see the real-life incident as a reminder of his divine protection and strength. For foreigners, this may be difficult to understand, but as Indians, we understand its significance. From childhood, many of us are taught to chant the Hanuman Chalisa whenever we feel scared or afraid. For many Indians, it is more than a prayer; it is a source of courage, strength, and comfort in moments of fear.

Such faith deserves respect, while the captain’s practical courage, professional responsibility and the collective efforts of everyone who helped save the passengers must also be recognised. Captain Smit Machchhar is a hero who stood against danger and did everything he could to protect the lives entrusted to him. A pilot’s responsibility is to ensure the safe arrival of passengers and crew, even when the circumstances become life-threatening, and his actions reflect extraordinary dedication to that duty. The reserve pilot, cabin crew, passengers who intervened, and the medical professional who reportedly provided first aid and helped save the captain’s life also deserve recognition. Every individual who offered assistance, courage and support contributed to the effort to bring the aircraft and its occupants to safety.

The entire world has appreciated the extraordinary courage and bravery of Captain Smit Machchhar, whose actions helped save innocent lives. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a video call with the injured captain, praised his heroic act and expressed the pride of the nation. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also personally called Captain Machchhar, praised his courage, recognised him as a hero of India, Israel and the world, and extended his best wishes to the captain’s family. Their appreciation reflects how true heroism transcends national borders, bringing people together through courage, humanity and respect for the precious gift of life. In a rare gesture of recognition, Netanyahu invited both Captain Machchhar and Prime Minister Modi to Israel’s Independence Day celebrations to light the ceremonial torch, describing it as his country’s highest Independence Day honour, traditionally reserved for Israeli citizens. This invitation is a remarkable recognition of an Indian pilot whose courage helped save innocent lives. His heroic actions will be remembered as an example of duty, bravery and humanity beyond national borders. But honouring these heroes must also mean learning from the incident and ensuring that preventable weaknesses are addressed. The fact that the aircraft was travelling to Israel and was operated by an international airline may naturally raise questions about whether anyone intended to damage relations between India and Israel or involve others in a wider conspiracy. Investigators must establish whether the suspect acted alone, whether anyone influenced or assisted him, and whether any wider plan existed. The relevant countries and aviation authorities must cooperate fully, establish the truth and hold those responsible accountable according to the law.

Beyond this incident, the world must recognise the damage caused by wars, hatred and divisions. Governments and leaders must stop treating conflict as an ordinary solution to disagreements and work towards diplomacy, justice and peace. Wars destroy homes, separate families, kill innocent people and leave ordinary citizens suffering the consequences of decisions they often had no part in making. People are divided into groups, with some supporting one country and others supporting another, each believing their side is right, but at the end of the day it is human beings who are dying, children who are losing their futures and families who are left grieving. At the same time, the world is facing the growing challenges of global warming, environmental destruction and pressure on natural resources. We share one planet, and our collective priority should be protecting it, improving human lives and ensuring a safer future rather than encouraging unnecessary hostility.

Disagreements between nations and legitimate security concerns cannot be ignored, but entire populations must never be condemned because of the actions of particular individuals or governments. There are no inherent enemies among ordinary human beings; there are people with different beliefs, cultures, nationalities and opinions who must learn to coexist.

• To prevent similar incidents, airlines and aviation authorities must strengthen pilot background checks, verify professional histories and investigate credible security concerns before recruitment.
  
• Relevant intelligence must be shared lawfully and effectively across countries and organisations, and security assessments should continue throughout a pilot’s career.
  
• Aviation experts must regularly review cockpit access arrangements, emergency door procedures and the ability of authorised crew members to respond when a pilot is incapacitated or suspected of posing an immediate threat, without creating additional security vulnerabilities.
  
• Pilots and cabin crew must receive regular practical training for cockpit emergencies, violent incidents, incapacitation and crisis communication.
  
• Authorities should assess secure emergency communication systems that could allow crew members to alert air traffic controllers or other authorised personnel without unnecessarily increasing danger.
  
• Consider having an additional qualified pilot on board who can take control if the captain and co-pilot become incapacitated or an emergency compromises the cockpit.
  
• Civilian pilots should receive appropriate defensive, threat-recognition and emergency-response training, with aircraft control and passenger safety remaining the priority.
  
• Countries must also maintain effective arrangements to cooperate when an aircraft declares an emergency, facilitating a safe landing and emergency assistance regardless of nationality or political differences, subject to operational and safety requirements.
  
• Lawful and proportionate intelligence assessment, including the evaluation of credible threats found in public information, can help identify risks, but religion, nationality or personal beliefs alone must never be treated as evidence of dangerousness.

Educational institutions, families, communities and responsible faith leaders must work together to prevent radicalisation, discourage hatred and promote independent thinking. It is simple to identify the difference: whoever spreads hatred and violence against others should never be blindly trusted, while those who spread love, peace, unity and truth and work towards bringing people together deserve our support. This is the fundamental message that all religions, faiths and responsible leadership should uphold. We must judge people by their actions and values, not merely by their words, titles or beliefs. These efforts must be accompanied by a transparent investigation that establishes what happened, identifies any failures and recommends measures to prevent such incidents from happening again.

India and Israel, along with the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Saudi Arabia and other relevant authorities, must cooperate where necessary to establish the facts without allowing speculation to damage relations between countries or communities. Captain Machchhar’s courage is a matter of pride for India and an example for the entire world, but the greatest tribute to him and everyone who helped save the passengers will be to ensure that lessons are learned and innocent lives are better protected. We must never allow ourselves to become instruments of hatred in the hands of people who seek power by dividing humanity. Do not blindly support any group, religion, country, leader or ideology when it promotes violence against others. Support truth, demand evidence, question manipulation and stand against hatred wherever it appears. Protect yourself and your near and dear ones by developing independent thinking, recognising harmful influence and teaching the next generation the value of human life. All faiths and moral traditions should be judged by the values people practise, and peace, compassion, justice and respect must prevail over blind loyalty and hostility. At the end of the day, we are all human beings sharing this Earth for a limited time; our nationalities, possessions, positions, arguments and divisions cannot change the fact that life is temporary.

We have only one world to live in, so let us live with humanity, protect one another, stop hatred and violence, preserve our planet, and remember that …

We all live on this earth for a few years and leave this earth forever.

So, live with love and leave with (rest in) peace.