HighLights
  1. UAE Deputy PM visited pilot Smit Machchhar in Abu Dhabi.
  2. Praised Machchhar's courage and responsibility in saving lives.
  3. Indian pilot prevented disaster after co-pilot attack on flight.

Smit Machchhar Treatment: Deputy Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum on Saturday met Indian pilot Smit Machchhar at the hospital in Abu Dhabi. In an X post, Maktoum praised the flydubai pilot's “courage and care of human lives".

"During the visit of “Smit Machchhar”… the Flydubai pilot who embodied the highest levels of courage, responsibility, and care for people’s lives. He has our full appreciation and praise, and that of the leadership of the country. We are proud that he is part of our team… part of our nation’s story… and part of our human experience in the United Arab Emirates… the homeland of love… the homeland of peace… and the homeland of life," his X post roughly translated into English.

After receiving initial treatment in a hospital in Tabuk city in Saudi Arabia, where the flydubai plane had landed, Machchhar was shifted to Abu Dhabi for continued medical care. Indian Ambassador to the UAE Deepak Mittal on Thursday said Machchhar is "in good health and recovering well". He also met the pilot's family and conveyed the full support of the Government of India in ensuring the welfare and well-being of the "Indian Hero."

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UAE President's Adviser Praises Smit For Courage During Terror Incident

Earlier in the day, a senior adviser to the United Arab Emirates' President also praised Indian captain for his courageous actions during a "serious terrorist incident" that could have ended in disaster.

Machchhar was stabbed and seriously injured by his co-pilot in the cockpit of flydubai flight FZ1073, travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv, on Wednesday. Despite being stabbed and seriously injured, he fought back and managed to open the cockpit door, enabling passengers to overpower the attacker. The flight, carrying 174 passengers, safely landed in Saudi Arabia, where authorities took the co-pilot into custody.

ALSO READ: Flydubai Cockpit Attack: What 'Hero' Indian Pilot Captain Smit Machchhar's Surname Means

"Indian flydubai pilot Smit Machchhar deserves the highest praise. In confronting a serious terrorist incident and a potential catastrophe, he embodied courage and responsibility," the UAE president's diplomatic advisor Anwar Gargash wrote on X, according to Gulf News.

"His professionalism and moral conviction in the darkest of circumstances make him a true hero," Gargash posted in Arabic. He also cautioned that vigilance was essential to confronting future possible acts of extremism and terrorism, and warned against promoting conspiracy theories about the attack.

PM Modi Speaks To Machchaar

On Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Machchaar and applauded his bravery. During the telephonic conversation, Machchaar gave details of his experience and what gave him courage during the incident, government sources said.

PM Modi praised the pilot's bravery and wished him a quick recovery, the sources said. The prime minister on Thursday had said in the face of the gravest danger and despite being seriously injured, Machchhar showed immense courage and unwavering resolve to protect the lives of others. PM Modi said Machchhar is a "HERO" and his valour helped save hundreds of lives and avert a great tragedy.

(With Agencies Inputs)

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