India, Oct. 3 -- The Omani co-pilot accused of attacking Flydubai captain Smit Machchhar during a flight to Israel had previously been identified as a security risk while working with Oman Air, according to senior intelligence and law enforcement officials cited by ABC News.

Sources told the outlet that the suspect was found with extremist material while he was a trainee co-pilot in 2024. He was later allowed to work in an administrative role, the sources said.

Investigators are now examining how he was later able to join Flydubai and serve as first officer on a flight bound for Tel Aviv.

Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Hindustan Times....