Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Flydubai pilot Captain Smit Machchhar over a video call on Friday (October 2, 2026) and lauded him for foiling an attempt to crash an Israel-bound flight. Mr. Modi called the pilot a hero who proved to the world that Indians “are willing to risk their lives to save others”.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Flydubai pilot Captain Smit Machchhar over a video call on Friday (October 2, 2026) and lauded him for foiling an attempt to crash an Israel-bound flight. Mr. Modi called the pilot a hero who proved to the world that Indians “are willing to risk their lives to save others”.
Captain Machchhar is currently hospitalised in the UAE, recovering from wounds he received when his co-pilot attacked him in an alleged bid to seize control of the aircraft that was going to Tel Aviv. A wounded Captain Machchhar opened the cockpit door, following which passengers overpowered the co-pilot. The plane later landed safely in Saudi Arabia after two other pilots on board took control.
