NEW DELHI: Indian Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal AP Singh on Saturday lauded Captain Smit Machchhar for his exceptional bravery during the recent mid-air terror attack aboard a Dubai-Tel Aviv flight, saying the pilot’s physical and mental resolve was a lesson for others in the aviation community.
“What he has done is exceptionally brave. He showed great physical and mental resolve. It is a lesson for us,” Air Chief Marshal AP Singh said while addressing his annual press conference in Delhi on the occasion of the 94th Air Force Day.
The IAF chief’s remarks come days after Machchhar, an Indian pilot, was seriously injured during an attack by his co-pilot aboard Flydubai Flight FZ1073 on September 30. The flight, travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv, experienced a major emergency after the attack, with the aircraft undergoing a rapid descent before passengers and crew intervened.
Machchhar, despite being injured, managed to reach and open the cockpit door, allowing others to enter and help overpower the attacker. The aircraft was subsequently diverted and landed safely at Tabuk in Saudi Arabia. Machchhar was taken to hospital for treatment and has been recovering from his injuries.
Air Chief Marshal AP Singh specifically highlighted both his physical and mental resolve, framing the incident as a lesson for aviators rather than only as an individual act of bravery.
Machchhar recently spoke to Prime Minister Narendra Modi over a video call from hospital and recounted the moments of the attack. He told the Prime Minister that, despite his injuries, he realised the aircraft was going down and made a final effort to reach the cockpit door.
