{"id":31115,"date":"2026-10-01T12:33:08","date_gmt":"2026-10-01T12:33:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/?p=31115"},"modified":"2026-10-01T12:33:08","modified_gmt":"2026-10-01T12:33:08","slug":"fighter-jets-in-air-how-israel-prepared-for-worst-case-scenario-during-flydubai-scare","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/?p=31115","title":{"rendered":"\u2018Fighter jets in air\u2019: How Israel prepared for worst-case scenario during Flydubai scare"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"e9jwa\">\n<div class=\"vdo_embedd\">\n<div class=\"GfdvZ\">\n<section class=\"_bIDB  clearfix id-r-component leadmedia undefined undefined  E9tg9 \" style=\"top:0px\">\n<div class=\"_bIDB\" data-ua-type=\"1\" onclick=\"stpPgtnAndPrvntDefault(event)\">\n<div class=\"ypVvZ\">\n<div class=\"WGttI\"><img src=\"https:\/\/static.toiimg.com\/thumb\/msid-134614435,imgsize-83558,width-400,height-225,resizemode-4\/uae-orders-probe-into-flydubai-cockpit-stabbing-incident-on-israel-bound-flight.jpg\" alt=\"\u2018Fighter jets in air\u2019: How Israel prepared for worst-case scenario during Flydubai scare\" title=\"UAE orders probe into Flydubai cockpit stabbing incident on Israel-bound flight\" decoding=\"async\" fetchpriority=\"high\"\/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"Ta7d_ img_cptn\"><span title=\"UAE orders probe into Flydubai cockpit stabbing incident on Israel-bound flight\">UAE orders probe into Flydubai cockpit stabbing incident on Israel-bound flight<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>NEW DELHI: Israel scrambled fighter jets after a Dubai-Tel Aviv-bound Flydubai aircraft transmitted emergency signals amid an alleged attempt by its co-pilot to crash the plane, but the warplanes did not have to take action as passengers and crew managed to regain control and land safely in Saudi Arabia, Israeli envoy to India Reuven Azar said on Thursday.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"2\"\/>Speaking to PTI Videos in New Delhi, Azar said Israel&#8217;s civil aviation authorities, air force and political leadership were immediately alerted after the aircraft reported an emergency. He said the situation was assessed as a potential threat given Israel&#8217;s small geographical size and the possibility of an aircraft reaching its territory within seconds.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"4\"\/>&#8220;Of course, immediately fighter jets were called into the air and fortunately, they didn&#8217;t have to take action,&#8221; Azar said.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"8\"\/>The envoy indicated that the situation could have escalated into a decision involving Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had the passengers and crew failed to regain control of the aircraft.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"10\"\/>&#8220;They had assessed the situation, and if the pilot and the crew members and the passengers wouldn&#8217;t have taken control of the plane, there could have been a situation in which the Prime Minister of Israel may have had to make a decision on the action to be taken,&#8221; he said, without elaborating.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"13\"\/>READ ALSO: <a href=\"https:\/\/timesofindia.indiatimes.com\/world\/middle-east\/was-flydubai-cockpit-attack-planned-uae-probe-to-examine-possible-terror-link\/articleshow\/134615695.cms\" rel=\"noopener\" styleobj=\"[object Object]\" class=\"\" commonstate=\"[object Object]\" frmappuse=\"1\" target=\"_blank\">Was Flydubai cockpit attack planned? UAE probe to examine possible terror link<\/a><span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"16\"\/>The incident involved Flydubai flight FZ1073, which was travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv with 174 passengers, including 27 children. The aircraft reportedly made a sharp descent before diverting to Prince Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz Airport in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"18\"\/><\/p>\n<p><h2>Indian captain, Israeli passengers helped avert disaster<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"20\"\/>Azar praised Indian captain Smit Machchhar for managing to open the cockpit door despite being attacked by his co-pilot, allowing passengers to intervene and prevent the aircraft from crashing.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"23\"\/>The envoy said three Israeli passengers onboard rushed towards the cockpit, subdued the alleged attacker and helped take preliminary control of the situation. They also called for a doctor to attend to the injured captain.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"25\"\/>&#8220;In addition to that, there were two additional pilots on the flight&#8230; that few seconds after the Israelis entered the cabin&#8230; were able to take control of the flight and actually get it to fly safely and land in Saudi Arabia,&#8221; Azar said.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"28\"\/>He said Machchhar had received appreciation from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Isaac Herzog, the speaker of the Parliament and people across Israel for his actions.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"30\"\/>&#8220;So, we had here people, first of all, the Indian captain who has been really admired in Israel, both by the Prime Minister, the President, the head of the Parliament and the entire Israeli people for what he did. He saved so many lives,&#8221; Azar said.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"33\"\/>The envoy added that the combined efforts of the Indian captain, Israeli passengers, crew members and additional pilots helped turn what could have been a catastrophic incident into a safe landing.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"35\"\/>&#8220;we had a situation that from almost a secure crash of the plane, we had a secure landing and the saving of nearly 180 people,&#8221; he said.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"37\"\/>Machchhar was injured during the alleged attack and was initially stabilised onboard by an Israeli doctor. <!-- -->Azar said Saudi authorities were subsequently providing him medical assistance after the aircraft landed in Tabuk.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"41\"\/>The Indian Embassy in Saudi Arabia had earlier identified Machchhar as an Indian national and said he was receiving treatment at a hospital in Tabuk in stable condition.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"43\"\/>READ ALSO: <a href=\"https:\/\/timesofindia.indiatimes.com\/india\/indomitable-bravery-indian-flydubai-pilot-smit-machchhar-to-be-awarded-visisht-gujarat-garima-award\/articleshow\/134613847.cms\" rel=\"noopener\" styleobj=\"[object Object]\" class=\"\" commonstate=\"[object Object]\" frmappuse=\"1\" target=\"_blank\">&#8216;Indomitable bravery\u2019: Indian Flydubai pilot Smit Machchhar to be awarded \u2018Visisht Gujarat Garima Award\u2019<\/a><span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"46\"\/><\/p>\n<p><h2>Investigation underway, motive remains unclear<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"48\"\/>The envoy said the investigation was still at a preliminary stage and authorities were yet to establish the motive behind the alleged attack.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"51\"\/>&#8220;We are in a very preliminary stage. I think that following the investigation of the attacker, we&#8217;ll be able to learn more,&#8221; Azar said.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"53\"\/>The UAE&#8217;s Attorney General Hamad Saif al-Shamsi has ordered an investigation into the incident to establish its circumstances, details and motives, including whether it was linked to any terrorist activity or involved prior planning.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"55\"\/>Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has also said it was too early to determine whether Iran had any involvement in the incident. <!-- -->He indicated that Israel could participate in the investigation.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"59\"\/>The incident comes weeks ahead of Israel&#8217;s October 27 legislative election and days before the country commemorates the October 7 Hamas-led attacks in 2023.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"61\"\/>Azar referred to the timing while discussing the incident but did not establish any connection between the alleged attack and the broader regional security situation.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"64\"\/>&#8220;There&#8217;s no doubt that the timing was very sensitive, you know. <!-- -->We are only a few weeks before an election in Israel. We are in a situation in which we are going to commemorate the 7th of October, the beginning of next week,&#8221; he said.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"68\"\/>The Flydubai spokesperson had also urged people to avoid speculation while authorities investigate the incident, saying the underlying reasons and motives remained unknown.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"70\"\/><\/p>\n<div data-type=\"in_view\" class=\"  \">\n<div class=\"sQLTU timeline_pollWrapper_as  \" data-scrollga=\"scroll#poll_view\">\n<div>\n<p>Should the investigation into the incident explore potential links to terrorism?<\/p>\n<div class=\"iN00Z\">\n<div class=\"eG6Oq\" aria-live=\"polite\">\n<div class=\"W30C0\">\n<p>3k+ users shared opinion today<!-- --> <span class=\"vIYbn\"\/><\/p>\n<p>5k+ users already voted today<!-- --> <span class=\"vIYbn\"\/><\/p>\n<p>3k+ users shared opinion today<!-- --> <span class=\"vIYbn\"\/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/timesofindia.indiatimes.com\/polls\/polls-in-articles\/should-the-investigation-into-the-incident-explore-potential-links-to-terrorism\/pollopinions\/134616492.cms?src=articleshow\" class=\"pd_MH\" commonstate=\"[object Object]\" frmappuse=\"1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Share Opinion<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"72\"\/>Editorial note: The fighter jet angle is best framed as Israel&#8217;s military preparedness and a possible escalation scenario, rather than suggesting that Israel was preparing to shoot down the aircraft. The envoy has confirmed that jets were scrambled but has not specified what action they would have taken.<\/div>\n<p><br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/timesofindia.indiatimes.com\/world\/middle-east\/fighter-jets-in-air-how-israel-prepared-for-worst-case-scenario-during-flydubai-scare\/articleshow\/134614333.cms\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>UAE orders probe into Flydubai cockpit stabbing incident on Israel-bound flight NEW DELHI: Israel scrambled fighter jets after a Dubai-Tel Aviv-bound Flydubai aircraft transmitted emergency signals amid an alleged attempt by its co-pilot to crash the plane, but the warplanes did not have to take action as passengers and crew managed to regain control and [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":31116,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[31],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-31115","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-31"],"magazineBlocksPostFeaturedMedia":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/uae-orders-probe-into-flydubai-cockpit-stabbing-incident-on-israel-bound-flight.jpg","medium":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/uae-orders-probe-into-flydubai-cockpit-stabbing-incident-on-israel-bound-flight.jpg","medium_large":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/uae-orders-probe-into-flydubai-cockpit-stabbing-incident-on-israel-bound-flight.jpg","large":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/uae-orders-probe-into-flydubai-cockpit-stabbing-incident-on-israel-bound-flight.jpg","1536x1536":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/uae-orders-probe-into-flydubai-cockpit-stabbing-incident-on-israel-bound-flight.jpg","2048x2048":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/uae-orders-probe-into-flydubai-cockpit-stabbing-incident-on-israel-bound-flight.jpg","blogsy-small":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/uae-orders-probe-into-flydubai-cockpit-stabbing-incident-on-israel-bound-flight.jpg","blogsy-small-tall":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/uae-orders-probe-into-flydubai-cockpit-stabbing-incident-on-israel-bound-flight.jpg","blogsy-small-square":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/uae-orders-probe-into-flydubai-cockpit-stabbing-incident-on-israel-bound-flight.jpg","blogsy-small-masonry":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/uae-orders-probe-into-flydubai-cockpit-stabbing-incident-on-israel-bound-flight.jpg","blogsy-medium":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/uae-orders-probe-into-flydubai-cockpit-stabbing-incident-on-israel-bound-flight.jpg","blogsy-medium-masonry":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/uae-orders-probe-into-flydubai-cockpit-stabbing-incident-on-israel-bound-flight.jpg","blogsy-large":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/uae-orders-probe-into-flydubai-cockpit-stabbing-incident-on-israel-bound-flight.jpg","blogsy-wide":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/uae-orders-probe-into-flydubai-cockpit-stabbing-incident-on-israel-bound-flight.jpg"},"magazineBlocksPostAuthor":{"name":"admin","avatar":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8709732a479614e7a8aa24d3eb1b239f30dc6d90c61464ed495001e7a469d856?s=96&d=mm&r=g"},"magazineBlocksPostCommentsNumber":"0","magazineBlocksPostExcerpt":"UAE orders probe into Flydubai cockpit stabbing incident on Israel-bound flight NEW DELHI: Israel scrambled fighter jets after a Dubai-Tel Aviv-bound Flydubai aircraft transmitted emergency signals amid an alleged attempt by its co-pilot to crash the plane, but the warplanes did not have to take action as passengers and crew managed to regain control and [&hellip;]","magazineBlocksPostCategories":["\u0b26\u0b47\u0b36 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