India, Oct. 1 -- The pilot was reportedly stabbed as Israeli officials said the co-pilot allegedly tried to crash the aircraft

An Indian pilot of a Tel Aviv-bound flight was stabbed by the aircraft's co-pilot on Wednesday after the latter allegedly tried to crash the plane, Israeli officials said. The confrontation triggered fears of a possible hijacking, prompting an emergency diversion to Saudi Arabia.

Captain Smit Machchhar, flying a FlyDubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv, was reportedly attacked inside the cockpit after his Omani co-pilot allegedly attempted to interfere with the aircraft's controls or systems. The captain is said to have resisted the attack despite sustaining stab wounds during the struggle.

The aircraft, carrying...