Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar, who helped save around 174 lives after being stabbed during a cockpit confrontation on a flydubai flight, has received praise from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his bravery.
Netanyahu hailed Machchhar’s actions in a post on X, calling them an example of extraordinary bravery. The Israeli Prime Minister said the pilot continued to resist despite being stabbed and seriously injured during the confrontation.
“My salute to the Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar for his extraordinary bravery,” Netanyahu wrote.
According to Netanyahu, Machchhar managed to open the cockpit door after being attacked, allowing passengers and crew members to enter and overpower the alleged attacker.
“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”, Netanyahu wrote.
Netanyahu said Machchhar’s actions prevented what could have become a major aviation disaster and wished the injured pilot a speedy recovery. He also described him as “a true hero”.
Trump Calls Indian Pilot A Hero
US President Donald Trump has also praised Indian flydubai captain Smit Machchhar following the mid-air cockpit confrontation on an Israel-bound flight, calling the injured pilot “a hero”.
Trump said he had discussed the incident with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and suggested that the co-pilot could have been a terrorist or acting irrationally. The motive behind the confrontation remains under investigation.
"I spoke to Benjamin Netanyahu about this incident. It seems as though the co-pilot was perhaps a terrorist or perhaps a whack job, and he stabbed the pilot. The pilot was in very bad shape. But in a way, he was a hero to open the door,” Trump said.
PM Modi Praises Captain Machchhar
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also lauded Machchhar for his actions during the emergency, saying the pilot’s courage helped prevent a major tragedy.
“Captain Smit Machchhar is a HERO. 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. 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,” PM Modi wrote in an X post.
What Happened On Flydubai Flight?
A lydubai flight, carrying around 174 passengers, escaped a crash after an alleged fight between pilots on a commercial plane travelling from the United Arab Emirates to Israel forced the aircraft to make an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday. Israel said it believes there may have been an attempt to attack Israelis.
During the incident, Machchhar reportedly confronted the other pilot and was stabbed during the struggle before falling to the cockpit floor with serious injuries. Israeli officials said a crew member and a passenger subsequently entered the cockpit and helped subdue the suspect.
The episode raised concerns about a possible hijacking of a plane carrying dozens of Israelis and prompted Israel to scramble warplanes.
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