India, Oct. 6 -- Israel was prepared to shoot down a Flydubai passenger plane if it continued towards Tel Aviv following an alleged attack by the airline's Omani co-pilot on Indian captain Smit Machchhar inside the cockpit on September 30, media reports said.

Flydubai co-pilot Hamam al-Hammami allegedly attacked Machchhar with a crash axe during the flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv, according to UAE Prosecutor General Hamad Saif al Shamsi. Reports said the Omani pilot attempted to take control of the aircraft.

The plane, carrying 182 people, subsequently made an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, after passengers and crew members reportedly subdued the alleged attacker.

The incident has drawn international attention, particularly f...