UAE arrests two Maldivian pilots over alleged flyDubai hijack plot: Report

Two Maldivian pilots employed by flydubai have been arrested by UAE police in connection with an alleged attempt by an Omani co-pilot to hijack and crash a Dubai-Tel Aviv flight, in which Indian Captain Smit Machchhar was injured while foiling the suspected plot, according to media reports.

The duo were taken into custody on October 3, and their families have been formally informed of their detention by the Maldivian Embassy in the United Arab Emirates, Maldivian news portal Adhadhu reported.

The Maldivian authorities have declined to comment on the detention of the two pilots, it said.

No official details have so far been released by the UAE authorities regarding the allegations against the detained Maldivian nationals or the status of the investigation into their possible involvement.

The arrests came as UAE authorities widened their investigation into the September 30 incident involving flydubai co-pilot Hammam al-Hammami, an Omani national accused of attacking the flight's pilo