Modi, Netanyahu hail pilot Capt Smit Machhar for courage on flydubai flight to Tel Aviv

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday praised the courage of Indian pilot Captain Smit Machhar. Captain Machhar was injured on a flydubai flight bound for Tel Aviv. The co-pilot is alleged to have tried to crash the aircraft, and Captain Machhar fought him.

Modi called Captain Machhar a "hero". He said his courage saved hundreds of lives and averted a major accident. In a post on X, Modi wrote, "Captain Smit Machhar is a hero. His bravery helped save hundreds of lives and avert a major tragedy. India is proud of Captain Machhar." Modi also prayed for his speedy recovery and good health.

Netanyahu also praised Captain Machhar's "extraordinary bravery". According to Netanyahu, the Indian pilot was stabbed and seriously injured, yet he held his ground. He opened the cockpit door, which allowed passengers and crew to overpower the attacker. Netanyahu said the incident averted a major catastrophe and saved the lives of the 174 people on board, including Israeli citizens and people of other countries.

The flydubai flight, FZ1073, was travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv. It sent emergency signals and was then diverted towards Tabuk in north-west Saudi Arabia, where it landed safely. According to flight-tracking data, the aircraft first sent emergency code 7700 and later code 7500, which indicates unlawful interference.

After code 7500 was received, Israeli authorities scrambled fighter jets fearing a hijack. The flight was later diverted towards Saudi Arabia, where the pilots were taken to hospital and the alleged attacker was detained for questioning.

The Indian Embassy in Riyadh said Captain Machhar is being treated at a hospital in Tabuk and is in stable condition. The embassy said it is in touch with his family and Saudi authorities and will extend every possible help.

Captain Machhar is an experienced commercial pilot and has been flying the Boeing 737 for more than 13 years. Before joining flydubai, he spent 11 years with the Indian airline SpiceJet, where he was a line training captain. His profile records about 9,750 hours of flying experience.

Following the incident, Israel has announced stricter security checks on pilots of flights coming to the country. Officials are still investigating the circumstances of the scuffle in the cockpit. The passengers were later flown back to Israel on a rescue flight, which landed at Ben Gurion International Airport.