Pilot stabbed on FlyDubai flight receives treatment after passengers subdue attacker

An Indian captain on a FlyDubai flight bound for Tel Aviv was stabbed in the head and suffered severe injuries after an Omani co-pilot attacked him in the cockpit. Passengers, including a dentist who provided first aid, restrained the attacker and helped the pilot return to the controls, allowing the aircraft to make an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. The captain was stabilised at a Saudi hospital before being airlifted to Doha, where he remains in intensive care but is reported to be in stable condition.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the crew’s actions "prevented another 9/11-like attack" and praised the passengers for their bravery. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also commended the captain’s courage, describing it as the "highest form of courage."

FlyDubai announced a temporary suspension of all flights to and from Israel pending investigations. Israeli and United Arab Emirates authorities are examining whether the attack was ideologically motivated or linked to a terrorist organization, while the United States confirmed four of its citizens were among the 174 passengers.