Washington DC, Oct. 3 -- Hamam al-Hammami, the Omani co-pilot accused of attacking Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar aboard a Flydubai flight bound for Tel Aviv, had previously undergone pilot training with Oman Air but was moved to desk duties after government surveillance detected visits to radical websites before later joining Flydubai without formal vetting by the Omani government, CBS News reported, citing sources.

Surveillance conducted by the Omani government revealed that the suspect browsed radical websites during his initial pilot training phase, which prompted Oman Air to shift him away from active flying duties and place him into an office position.

According to one of the sources who spoke to CBS News, the pilot resigned ...