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Indian airline pilot Smit Machchhar, who is known to have thwarted an attempt to crash a flydubai flight. / Reuters-Yonhap

An Indian captain stabbed while stopping a co-pilot who attempted to crash an Israel-bound flight operated by UAE carrier flydubai is being hailed as a hero in his homeland, CNN reported on the 30th (local time).

Major Indian media outlets praised his courage. The Times of India reported that the Mumbai-born pilot proved himself a hero, while India Today reported that the Indian pilot received acclaim for thwarting a cockpit attack on the flydubai aircraft.

On a flagship program on Indian English news channel CNN-News18, an anchor stated, "Viewers, if 166 Israelis are able to return home tonight unscathed, it is entirely thanks to the bravery of one Indian, Captain Machchhar."

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised him on social media, writing that "Captain Machchhar is a hero," adding, "Even when facing grave danger and suffering severe injuries, he demonstrated immense courage and an unwavering commitment to protect the lives of others."

He added, "India is proud of Captain Machchhar."

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also previously called Captain Machchhar a "true hero," saying that "he demonstrated extraordinary courage and saved the lives of 174 people on board."

He further explained, "Despite being stabbed and severely injured, he fought back and opened the cockpit door, enabling passengers and crew to subdue the attacker and averting a mid-air catastrophe."

The Indian Embassy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia stated that Captain Machchhar is receiving treatment at a hospital in Tabuk in northwestern Saudi Arabia, adding, "While we are still awaiting detailed updates on his medical condition, he is reported to be in stable condition."

A native of Mumbai, India, Captain Machchhar has been flying Boeing 737 aircraft as a captain for flydubai since June 2022.

He reportedly sustained injuries on the morning of the 30th while operating a flight from Dubai, UAE bound for Tel Aviv, Israel, during an altercation to subdue an Omani co-pilot who wielded a weapon and attempted to put the aircraft into a steep dive.

Crew members and passengers forced their way through the cockpit door and subdued the co-pilot, and the flight made an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, preventing widespread casualties.

                                                                                                             Kim Hyun-min