India, Oct. 4 -- A routine international flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv has turned into a major security investigation after Australian authorities began examining the background and connections of the co-pilot accused of attacking the captain in the cockpit.

Australian authorities confirmed that the Victorian Joint Counter Terrorism Team, involving the Australian Federal Police (AFP), Victoria Police and the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO), is investigating Hamam al Hammami's "links to Australia". The Omani national reportedly studied in Melbourne, with local reports identifying RMIT University as the institution he attended.

The investigation adds a new international dimension to the September 30 incident involving...