India, Oct. 2 -- A senior UAE official has described the attack aboard flydubai flight FZ1073 as a "terrorist act" while praising Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar for his actions during the mid-air crisis.

The advisor to the UAE president said Machchhar deserved appreciation for confronting a serious terrorist act and bravely facing a potential disaster.

"Vigilance and precaution are necessary in the face of extremism and terrorism," the official said, underscoring the need for heightened alertness following the incident.

Machchhar was seriously injured during the September 30 incident while operating the flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv. The aircraft was diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, after a cockpit confrontation, with passengers a...