New Delhi (India) October 1: Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed Pilot Smit Machchhar as a "hero" on Thursday after he was injured critically in the cockpit of a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv while trying to protect passengers.
“In the face of the gravest danger and despite being seriously injured, he showed immense courage and an unwavering resolve to protect the lives of others,” he said.
He added, “His valour helped save hundreds of lives and avert a great tragedy. India is proud of Captain Machchhar. Praying for his speedy recovery, renewed strength and good health.”
Netanyahu Praises Pilot’s Bravery
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also commended the Indian Captain Smit Machchhar, who was injured when he clashed with his co-pilot, who tried to shoot the plane down on Wednesday.Netanyahu said that the evidence showed that one of the pilots had stabbed the other and tried to shoot the plane down.
“Despite being stabbed and seriously injured, he fought back, resisted, opened the cockpit door, and enabled passengers and crew to overpower the attacker - preventing a catastrophic mid-air disaster. He saved the lives of 174 people, including Israeli citizens and other nationals," he said.
Trump Calls Machchhar A Hero
US President Donald Trump spoke out in praise of Flydubai pilot Captain Smit Machchhar. Speaking of the Indian’s condition, Trump said that he is in very bad shape, but he's got enough presence of mind to try and stop a guy from trying to blow the plane out of the sky.
According to President Trump, who heard the account from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Machchhar was able to open the cockpit door, back up, and scream for help when an Omani co-pilot stabbed him.
“The pilot was in very bad shape; I guess he still is in very bad shape, but he had the sense to, amazing, to, in a way, he was a hero,” Trump said.
Co-Pilot Allegedly Attacked
As per the news website Ynet citing Israeli officials, the co-pilot was an Omani national and was alleged to have intended to crash the aircraft. As per the report, captain Machchhar struggled with the co-pilot and Israeli passengers helped to restrain him.
The plane, flydubai flight FZ1073 en route to Dubai from Tel Aviv, sent an emergency call and dived downward before diverting to the Prince Sultan Bin Abdel Aziz Airport in Tabuk. The main reason for the attack is under investigation but the Israeli authorities are treating it as a 'terror attack'.
Indian Embassy Tracks Smit's Health
In a post on social media platform X, the Indian Embassy in Riyadh said that it had been "closely monitoring" Machchhar's medical situation, along with the Indian Consulate in Jeddah. The Indian mission also said it was in touch with Machchhar's family and Saudi officials to provide him aid.
"Our Embassy in Riyadh and Consulate in Jeddah have been following the health condition of Mr. Smit Machchhar, the brave Indian pilot of Flydubai flight that was diverted to Tabuk today," the embassy said.