Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke to Indian flydubai Captain Smit Machchhar after a mid-air attack on September 30. Netanyahu called Machchhar a “hero for Israel, India and the entire world.” He invited the pilot and Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Israel’s Independence Day ceremony. Machchhar was also invited to light a torch, an honour usually given to Israeli citizens. During the call, Machchhar described how the Omani co-pilot allegedly attacked him with an axe inside the cockpit. Despite his injuries, he managed to open the cockpit door. Passengers then helped control the attacker. Netanyahu praised Machchhar’s courage and judgment.

India on Saturday summoned Pakistan’s Chargé d’Affaires over alleged cross-border infiltration along the India-Pakistan border. The move came a day after BSF troops shot dead two suspected Pakistani intruders in Punjab’s Tarn Taran district. Police said three people entered Indian territory, but one later returned to Pakistan. The other two continued moving towards the border fence despite repeated warnings, officials said. India said the incident showed a pattern of cross-border movement linked to armed drug networks. Pakistan claimed the two men were unarmed civilians who crossed the border by mistake. India rejected the claim as “baseless and motivated” and urged Pakistan to prevent such incidents.

India strongly criticised Pakistan at the United Nations over its remarks on Jammu and Kashmir. India said Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh are “integral and inalienable” parts of India. Indian diplomat Bhavika Mangalanandan said Pakistan’s “so-called civilian governments” are “at the mercy” of the Army and rarely complete their terms. India also accused Pakistan of supporting cross-border terrorism and using the Kashmir issue to divert attention from unrest at home. It referred to protests and a crackdown in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir. India said J&K held peaceful elections in 2024, followed by a transfer of power.

UAE Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum visited Indian flydubai pilot Smit Machchhar at a hospital on Saturday and praised his courage. Machchhar was injured after his co-pilot allegedly attacked him during a Dubai-Tel Aviv flight on September 30. Despite his injuries, he managed to unlock the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew to restrain the attacker. Other pilots on board then took control of the aircraft, which landed safely in Saudi Arabia. Al Maktoum said Machchhar showed courage, responsibility and care for human life, adding that UAE leadership was proud of him and appreciated his actions. (PC: HT)

Five Indian nationals were safely rescued and brought ashore after the Kuwait-flagged tanker MT Kazimah III was struck by a projectile while transiting the Strait of Hormuz, the Indian Embassy in Oman said. The embassy coordinated the rescue operation and confirmed that all five Indians were safely shifted ashore. It also thanked Omani authorities for their assistance during the operation. The incident occurred amid heightened maritime security concerns in and around the strategic waterway. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) separately reported that a tanker was hit by an unidentified projectile near Oman, with no casualties or environmental impact reported. 

Pakistan presented a man it claimed was Lashkar-e-Taiba commander Mohammad Asif, a day after India said it had killed him in an encounter in Jammu and Kashmir’s Budgam district. India had identified Asif, alias Hashim Musa, as a former Special Service Group (SSG) commando and claimed he was killed on Wednesday. Pakistan’s presentation of the man was intended to challenge India’s account, according to the report. However, the claimed identification quickly came under scrutiny, with independent OSINT accounts pointing to alleged mismatches in the man’s facial and anatomical features. The report said this led to accusations on social media that Pakistan had presented a lookalike to dispute India’s version of events.

UAE Presidential Advisor Anwar Gargash described the attempted hijacking of a flydubai flight bound for Tel Aviv by its Omani co-pilot as “terrorism,” marking the first such designation by the Emirati side. Gargash praised Indian Captain Smit Machchhar for his professionalism and courage during what he called a dangerous terrorist act and potential disaster, calling him a “true hero.” He also urged caution against premature conclusions and unverified explanations as international teams investigate the incident, including the co-pilot’s alleged motives and background. Reports said pro-Palestinian material was found among the co-pilot’s belongings, while investigators are examining possible radicalisation. The September 30 incident involved an alleged cockpit stabbing, steep descent and hijacking distress signal.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s efforts to help end the Russia-Ukraine conflict, saying Modi has “very good ideas” for finding mutually acceptable solutions. Speaking at the Valdai Forum in Moscow, Putin said Modi regularly raises the need to end the conflict despite India’s close relations with Russia. He described India’s position as neutral but focused on achieving peace and thanked Modi for his diplomatic approach. Modi has repeatedly advocated dialogue and diplomacy, most recently telling Putin that the war should end and that India supports peaceful efforts to stop the fighting. (PC: NDTV)

BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha denied requesting the removal or sidelining of female employees during its September 5 visit to the Eiffel Tower. An investigation by the General Inspectorate of the City of Paris found “a collective dysfunction” and, according to Le Parisien, no explicit request from the Hindu religious delegation to exclude women from the entire procession. Investigators found no written document or email from BAPS requesting women staff be removed. The report said decisions were made “between consenting adults,” while a Parisian elected official said the instruction was distorted through word of mouth. The incident triggered a staff walkout, public outrage and Eiffel Tower closure. SETE chief Patrick Branco Ruivo will step down following the controversy. (PC: X)

Indian Ambassador to the UAE Deepak Mittal said Flydubai pilot Captain Smit Machchhar is “in good health and recovering well” after suffering serious injuries when his co-pilot allegedly attacked him during a Dubai-Tel Aviv flight. Machchhar was initially treated at a hospital in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, before being shifted to the UAE. The flight, carrying 174 people, made an emergency landing in Tabuk after the co-pilot allegedly stabbed Machchhar and sent the aircraft plunging nearly 14,000 feet in less than 30 seconds. The Indian Embassy said Mittal visited Machchhar and his family and remains coordinated with authorities over his medical care. The passengers later reached Israel safely after the attack was foiled.