Indian pilot Smit Machchhar is hailed as a “hero” after fighting to retain control of a Dubai-Tel Aviv flight when his co-pilot allegedly attacked him, leaving him wounded but helping avert disaster. The airline says all passengers are safe. According to media reports, 166 of the 174 passengers were Israeli citizens. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has also praised the pilot’s “extraordinary bravery”, saying he fought back despite being wounded and helped prevent a catastrophic mid-air disaster.