Anwar Gargash, diplomatic adviser to the president of the United Arab Emirates, described Friday the attempted hijacking of a flydubai passenger plane traveling to Tel Aviv as a “dangerous terrorist act.”

Gargash made the remarks while commending the actions of the flight’s Indian captain, Smit Machchhar, who fought back after being attacked by his Omani co-pilot. The captain’s resistance helped give passengers an opportunity to enter the cockpit, assist the crew, and prevent the aircraft from being brought down.

“He embodied the meaning of courage and responsibility in the face of a dangerous terrorist act and a potential disaster,” Gargash wrote in a post on X/Twitter.

The UAE official continued his praise of Machchhar, highlighting his conduct during the emergency and the personal courage he demonstrated under extreme circumstances.

“His professionalism and moral sense in the darkest of circumstances make him a true hero.”

Gargash also stressed that authorities and the public must remain alert to the possibility of future extremist and terrorist threats. He cautioned against allowing conspiracy theories surrounding the incident to spread, emphasizing the importance of vigilance and responsible discussion.

174 Israeli Passengers Return Home Following Hijacking Attempt

The 174 Israeli passengers returned to Ben-Gurion Airport Tuesday after helping subdue the Omani co-pilot accused of attacking the captain and attempting to crash the flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv. The aircraft later landed safely in Saudi Arabia, while Captain Machchhar remained in critical condition with multiple stab wounds.