Prime Minister Narendra Modi has hailed Captain Smit Machchhar, who was the pilot that was stabbed during an alteraction which sparked a major airline scare in West Asia.
Machchhar, an Indian pilot, was stabbed by his co-pilot during a physical altercation in the cockpit. The plane broadcast a hijack alert and diverted to Tabuk, where it landed safely. Taking to X, PM Modi hailed the effort and wished a speedy recovery for the Indian pilot. “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,” the prime minister wrote on X. Machchhar underwent surgery and is stable, while the other pilot, whose name was not known at the time of going to press, was arrested by Saudi authorities.
The fight in the cockpit of the Boeing 737 Max B flydubai plane resulted in a sudden plunge of 14,300 feet in roughly 30 seconds over northern Saudi Arabia. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also credited the wounded Indian captain with fighting back and opening the cockpit door so that passengers and crew could overpower the attacker. Both pilots were hospitalised due to the fight, authorities Tabuk Airport said.
The captain, Smit Machchhar, is from Ghatkopar East in Mumbai and was based in Dubai for work, people aware of the matter told HT.
