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.

Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar, who was stabbed by his co-pilot aboard a Flydubai flight, was airlifted from Saudi Arabia to Dubai on Thursday for medical treatment. Machchhar was injured during an alleged attempt to crash flight FZ1073, travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv, on Wednesday. Despite his injuries, he managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew to overpower the attacker. A second pair of pilots then landed the aircraft safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. All 174 passengers survived. Machchhar is reported to be stable. Gujarat has announced the Visisht Gujarat Garima Award to honour his bravery. (PC: The Indian Express)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday spoke with Indian pilot Smit Machchhar’s parents and wife, praising his courage during an alleged mid-air attack aboard a flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv. Referring to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s remarks, Modi said the captain had helped prevent a “9/11-type tragedy”. The co-pilot allegedly stabbed Machchhar aboard the Boeing 737 MAX 8, causing the aircraft to plunge thousands of feet over Saudi Arabia. Passengers helped restrain the attacker before the plane made an emergency landing in Tabuk. Machchhar underwent surgery and is reported to be stable. (PC: HT)

Israeli President Isaac Herzog has thanked Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar for his courage during a mid-air attack on a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv. Herzog also announced plans to recommend 4 Israeli passengers for the Presidential Award for Civilian Heroism after they helped overpower the attacker. The passengers, Yaniv Hayoun, Zvika Manes and Asaf Rajuan, entered the cockpit and restrained the co-pilot after he allegedly stabbed Machchhar. Dr Shota Musayev provided medical treatment to the injured captain. Machchhar managed to open the cockpit door despite his injuries. The aircraft later made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia. (PC: X)

Israeli passenger Yaniv Hayun helped intervene during an alleged cockpit attack on a Dubai-Tel Aviv Flydubai flight, telling injured Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar, “You’re not going to die today.” In an interview with India Today, Hayun said he and a crew member forced open the cockpit door after finding it unlocked. He saw Machchhar lying injured on the floor while the Omani co-pilot was at the controls. Hayun said he grabbed the co-pilot from behind and pulled him away. The incident occurred aboard Flight FZ1073 on Wednesday, with 174 people on board. The aircraft later landed safely in Saudi Arabia. (PC: India Today)

Flydubai flight carrying 174 people plunged 14,125 feet in 29 seconds after an alleged stabbing incident in the cockpit on Wednesday. The Boeing 737, operating Flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv, made an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said one pilot allegedly stabbed the other and appeared to attempt to crash the aircraft. Flydubai confirmed an altercation on the flight deck but did not verify these claims. Flight-tracking data recorded the sharp descent. Passengers reportedly panicked as the aircraft lost altitude. The incident is under investigation, and several details remain unconfirmed. (PC:  The Indian Express)