Prime Minister Narendra Modi has hailed Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar as a “hero” for his bravery in protecting passengers after he was stabbed by his co-pilot in an alleged attempt to crash a Flydubai aircraft on Wednesday. In a post on X, Modi praised Machchhar for his courage despite being seriously injured. “India is proud of Captain Machchhar. Praying for his speedy recovery, renewed strength and good health,” Modi said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has hailed Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar as a “hero” for his bravery in protecting passengers after he was stabbed by his co-pilot in an alleged attempt to crash a Flydubai aircraft on Wednesday. In a post on X, Modi praised Machchhar for his courage despite being seriously injured. “India is proud of Captain Machchhar. Praying for his speedy recovery, renewed strength and good health,” Modi said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has hailed Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar as a “hero” for his bravery in protecting passengers after he was stabbed by his co-pilot in an alleged attempt to crash a Flydubai aircraft on Wednesday. In a post on X, Modi praised Machchhar for his courage despite being seriously injured. “India is proud of Captain Machchhar. Praying for his speedy recovery, renewed strength and good health,” Modi said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has hailed Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar as a “hero” for his bravery in protecting passengers after he was stabbed by his co-pilot in an alleged attempt to crash a Flydubai aircraft on Wednesday.

In a post on X, Modi praised Machchhar for his courage despite being seriously injured.

“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,” Modi wrote. He added that Machchhar’s “valour” helped save hundreds of lives and avert a major tragedy.

“India is proud of Captain Machchhar. Praying for his speedy recovery, renewed strength and good health,” Modi said.

According to Reuters, the incident began when the co-pilot allegedly stabbed Machchhar, causing Flydubai flight FZ1073 to plunge nearly 14,000 feet in less than 30 seconds. Machchhar, reportedly covered in blood and lying on the cockpit floor, managed to activate the mechanism to open the cockpit door, according to a spokesperson for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Passengers and crew members then overpowered the co-pilot, allowing two Flydubai pilots who were travelling on board as passengers to enter the cockpit and land the aircraft safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.

Netanyahu said in a video statement that all passengers were safe. In a subsequent post on X, he praised Machchhar for saving the lives of 174 people, including Israeli citizens and nationals of other countries.

“My salute to the Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar for his extraordinary bravery. 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.

“He saved the lives of 174 people, including Israeli citizens and other nationals. I wish Captain Machchhar a speedy and full recovery. He is a true hero,” he added.

Citing flight-tracking data, The Times of Israel reported that the aircraft initially transmitted squawk code 7700, the international emergency signal, before switching to code 7500, which indicates hijacking or unlawful interference. The 7500 signal reportedly prompted Israeli Air Force fighter jets to scramble towards the aircraft.

The Indian Embassy in Saudi Arabia said Machchhar is receiving medical treatment at a hospital in Tabuk, in northwestern Saudi Arabia. The embassy said it is in contact with his family and Saudi authorities and is extending all possible assistance.

Machchhar, who is from Mumbai, previously worked with Indian airline SpiceJet for more than 11 years before joining Flydubai.

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