Co-pilot Hamami in FlyDubai flight recruited by Kerala agency ?
Introductory Memo: The alleges that a Fly-Dubai flight experienced a suspected terrorist attack when co-pilot Hamam al-Hamami allegedly attacked Captain Smith Machar at an altitude of 30,000 feet, causing the aircraft to lose altitude rapidly. According to the report, the flight was carrying 174 passengers, including 150 Israelis, and the co-pilot allegedly intended to seize control of the aircraft and carry out a large-scale terrorist attack. Despite being injured, Captain Machar reportedly managed to regain control of the situation with the assistance of the crew and passengers and make an emergency landing at Tabuk airport in Saudi Arabia. The article further claims that authorities in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Australia and other countries are investigating the co-pilot’s alleged extremist links, previous employment history and recruitment through an agency reportedly connected to Kerala. It also states that Captain Machar, a former SpiceJet pilot who joined FlyDubai in 2022, received international recognition for his alleged bravery, while calls were made to honour him for saving the passengers’ lives. However, the allegations and details presented in the article require independent verification from reliable news sources and official authorities.
Analytical view/ Analysis: The probe is concentrated on how a person debarred from flight cleared all security norms and appointed in Fly Dubai as co pilot. Inconclusive report tells that agency cleared him is linked with Kerala nexus.
The Malayalee presence is also behind the Fly Dubai terrorist attack incident, which has drawn international attention. It is reported that the co-pilot Hamami, who attacked Captain Smith Machar, was recruited to Fly Dubai flight by a recruiting agency with Malayalee links. International attention has been drawn to terrorists boarding high-security flights and posing a security threat. The UAE authorities have launched an investigation into the recruiting agency. Smith Machar, the Indian pilot who saved the lives of hundreds of passengers, has become the pride of the world.
The plane, which was flying at an altitude of 30,000 feet, fell more than 10,000 feet in a matter of minutes when the pilot was hit on the head by a terrorist co-pilot with a weapon. The incident took place two hours after the flight took off from Dubai to Israel’s Veep. There were 174 passengers on board. The plan was to attack the pilot, hijack the plane and capture it in a manner similar to the September 11, 2001, attacks on the World Trade Center in Tel Aviv, Israel. Saudi Arabia’s Investigative Committee said the copilot, Hamam al-Hamami, was linked to Islamist militant groups. Hamami got up from his seat to pray and stabbed captain Smith Machar in the back. An attempt was made to take control of the aircraft after the captain was injured. During the attack, the plane fell 166 feet, but the captain, crew and passengers managed to control the plane. He then made an emergency landing at Saudi Arabia’s Tabuk airport.
The U.S. Attorney General called the incident an act of terrorism. Hamami is being questioned after he was brought to the UAE from Saudi Arabia. The motive behind the shooting down of the plane, terror links and whether he received any help or instructions from anyone else are also under investigation. Background information is also crucial to the investigation. Hamam al-Hamami was reportedly banned by Oman Airlines after authorities noticed his interest in websites with a terrorist nature. He was later transferred and involved in the de-radicalisation programme. It is said that a recruiting agency from Kerala hired him for Fly Dubai Airlines.
Hamami’s links to Australia are also being investigated. He obtained a student visa in 2014 and taught in Australia from 2015 to 2017. The Australian Federal Police has confirmed that the Victorian Joint Counter Terrorism Team has launched an investigation into the links in Australia. He had a strong religious belief and was associated with terrorist activities, including talking to women. It is also being investigated whether the agency, which gave him a job in a way that enabled him to carry out terrorist activities, bypassing sanctions and other measures.
Israel has alleged that a pilot from Oman, which has no diplomatic ties with Israel, was put on a flight to Dubai in violation of the agreement. The plane was carrying 150 Israelis, the biggest enemies of Islamist militants. Of the 174 passengers, 150 were Israelis. Hamami’s goal was to kill all Israelis and launch a terrorist attack on Israel on the lines of the World Trade Center. Captain Smith Machar, who was lying in a pool of blood, opened the cockpit door and the other crew and passengers were able to climb in and subdue the terrorist.
Captain Smith’s health is improving after the surgery. Machar, who was a pilot with SpiceJet for 11 years, joined FlyDubai in 2022. Many world leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Ram Nath Kovind, extended their greetings on the occasion. Machar was also awarded Israel’s highest civilian honor. They have invited Machar along with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to be the chief guest at Israel’s Independence Day event. The Indian community has also demanded that Machar be awarded the Ashoka Chakra, the country’s highest peacetime gallantry award, or any other civilian honour.
The investigation team said that Hamami has a blind religious belief that does not fear death. Hamami is expected to face severe punishment under the anti-terrorism law.
Reference
- Firstpost https://share.google/1MwsBKIiVr8klQjJI
- https://share.google/5eGgWUM0H9HH6Sgs0
- https://share.google/TGTY2iJsZSsKCpZMl
- https://share.google/QlwfiB2wIuGVoykIe
- Al Jazeera https://share.google/V5bmpq4qb6FvhK4zJ
- Australia investigating Flydubai co-pilot’s links to country https://share.google/2HMLhYuu91749rzY0
- https://share.google/Xr8zq0FeyeDgl9qYa
- https://share.google/VgRSnzhi5AFeYoPVV
- https://share.google/36ETkFWivfiVfwM7U
News at a Glance: Co-pilot Hamami’s recruitment was cleared by Kerala recruiting agency.
Academic Insight: The terror nexus to Kerala and how the recruitment happened beyond all the security measures of Fly Dubai
Social Media Pulse: Moderate or viral
On Our Reading List: Mathrubhumi, Manorama, Indian express, Times of India, Deshabhimani, Janambhumi
Article by: G K Suresh Babu