Stories
PM Modi Hails Captain Smit Machchhar as 'Hero,' Says India is Proud of His Bravery
- •Prime Minister Narendra Modi has highly praised Indian Captain Smit Machchhar for his bravery on a Flydubai flight.
- •PM Modi stated that despite being seriously injured, Captain Machchhar showed immense courage and determination to save the lives of others.
- •Captain Machchhar saved Flydubai flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv from being hijacked after his co-pilot attacked him with a knife.
- •The flight had 174 passengers, including 27 children, all of whom were safely rescued.
- •US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also called Captain Machchhar a 'hero'.
Key Questions Answered
On September 30, 2026, Flydubai flight FZ1073 traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv experienced an in-flight attack when the co-pilot attacked Indian Captain Smit Machchhar with a knife to hijack or crash the plane. Captain Machchhar fought off the attacker despite serious injuries, allowing the crew and passengers to subdue him, and the flight safely made an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised Captain Smit Machchhar on the social media platform X, calling him a hero and stating that India is proud of his immense courage and unwavering resolve. PM Modi noted that despite being seriously injured, Captain Machchhar protected the lives of hundreds of passengers, and he wished him a speedy recovery and good health.
Captain Smit Machchhar was injured during the knife attack and was admitted to a hospital in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. According to the Indian mission, his current condition is stable, and Indian officials remain in touch with his family.
