Raipur, October 01, 2026: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today lauded Captain Smit Machchhar for his immense courage and unwavering resolve to protect the lives of others in the face of grave danger and despite being seriously injured foiled his co-pilot’s alleged attempt to crash a flydubai flight to Israel.
The Prime Minister said that Captain Machchhar’s valour helped save hundreds of lives and avert a great tragedy.
Captain Smit Machchhar of the flydubai flight was attacked mid-air in the cockpit by his co-pilot.
Captain Machchhar was allegedly stabbed by his co-pilot in the cockpit en route from Dubai to Tel Aviv. The flight, which was flying over Jordan, eventually made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia’s Tabuk airport. All passengers aboard are safe, media reports said.
Modi said that India is proud of Captain Machchhar and prayed for his speedy recovery, renewed strength and good health.
Modi said in X post;
“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.”
Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has praised Capt Machchhar, currently undergoing treatment at Tabuk in Saudi Arabia, where the Dubai-Tel Aviv flight that he was commandeering made an emergency landing following the mid-air scare, media said.
The flydubai flight FZ1073, travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv, had transmitted emergency signals and made a sharp descent before diverting to Prince Sultan Bin Abdel Aziz Airport in Tabuk.
The flight was carrying 174 passengers, including 27 children.
