Captain Smit Machchhar, the Indian pilot who was stabbed while helping to thwart the apparent attempt to hijack the Flydubai plane, is being hailed as a hero at home.
“Captain Smit Machchhar is a HERO,” wrote Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on X. “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.” He added, “India is proud of Captain Machchhar.”
Leading news outlets also praised his bravery. “The pilot from Mumbai who proved to be a hero,” wrote the Times of India. “Indian pilot hailed after foiling alleged cockpit attack on Flydubai flight,” said India Today.
A CNN News-18 anchor said during his primetime program: “Viewers, if 166 Israelis go home tonight without a scratch, it is all down to the bravery of one single Indian, Captain Smit Machchhar.”
Many Indians have also taken to social media to express their pride.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu earlier praised Machchhar as a “true hero,” saying he demonstrated “extraordinary bravery” and saved the lives of the 174 people on the plane.
“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,” he said on X.
The Indian embassy in Riyadh said the “brave Indian pilot” had been admitted to a hospital in Tabuk, in northwest Saudi Arabia, where he is receiving medical care.
“A full update on his health is awaited but he is reported to be in stable condition. We hope that he recovers from his injuries at the earliest,” it wrote on X.