Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has expressed his deep gratitude toward an Indian pilot whose quick thinking and courage prevented a potential aviation catastrophe. Captain Smit Machchhar, flying for Flydubai on a route from Dubai to Tel Aviv, was reportedly stabbed by his own co-pilot during the flight. Despite sustaining serious injuries, Machchhar managed to fight back against the assailant and open the cockpit door, allowing the cabin crew and passengers to intervene and overpower the attacker before the aircraft could be diverted or crashed.
The incident triggered an emergency alert shortly after takeoff, forcing the Boeing 737 Max 8 to make an unplanned landing at Tabuk airport in northwest Saudi Arabia. All 174 people on board survived the ordeal without further injury. In a public statement shared via social media, Netanyahu hailed Machchhar as a true hero, noting that his extraordinary bravery saved countless lives across multiple nationalities. The prime minister offered his salutes to the captain and wished him a swift recovery following the traumatic event.
According to reports from India’s embassy in Riyadh, Captain Machchhar was admitted to a hospital in Tabuk city where he is currently receiving medical care. While officials are still waiting for comprehensive updates on his health, they have confirmed that he is in stable condition. Meanwhile, the unidentified co-pilot responsible for the attack was arrested immediately upon landing in Saudi Arabia, facing accusations of attempting to seize control of the aircraft through violence.
Following the emergency landing, Flydubai dispatched a rescue flight to transport all passengers safely to their original destination at Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv. Upon their arrival, Prime Minister Netanyahu personally greeted those on board. However, this gesture sparked immediate political friction within Israel, with opposition leader Yair Lapid dismissing the reception as cheap politics given its timing ahead of upcoming national elections.
