NEW DELHI: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday spoke with Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar, praising his courage and composure after he was attacked by his co-pilot aboard a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv.
During the conversation, Netanyahu invited Machchhar and Prime Minister Narendra Modi to light a ceremonial flame at Israel’s next Independence Day celebrations, calling the Indian pilot a hero of Israel, India and the entire world.
Machchhar recounted the terrifying moments inside the cockpit, saying the flight had been proceeding normally when his co-pilot, who had asked to pray, suddenly attacked him from behind.
The pilot said he initially believed the aircraft itself had suffered catastrophic damage, but soon realised that he was being assaulted. Despite severe injuries and blurred vision, he tried to stop the attacker and reach the cockpit door.
Machchhar said he managed to open the door during a second attempt, allowing people waiting outside to rush into the cockpit and overpower the attacker. Crew members and passengers then helped regain control of the aircraft.
The aircraft subsequently made an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, after a dramatic descent. Reliable reports have said the flight was carrying 174 passengers, while some accounts have used different figures for total occupants.
Reacting to Machchhar’s account, Netanyahu praised his “courage” and “coolness of judgement under impossible conditions”, saying the pilot had saved many lives and represented the spirit of people standing up against violence.
Netanyahu also conveyed his regards to Machchhar’s wife and wished him a speedy and complete recovery.
Captain Machchhar is currently recovering in Abu Dhabi after receiving treatment for injuries sustained in the attack. The incident remains under investigation by authorities in the UAE and other countries involved.
