PM Modi speaks to Indian pilot Smit Machchhar who was stabbed on flydubai plane

Smit Machchhar briefed the Prime Minister about his experience during the incident and what gave him the courage to respond in the face of the danger. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday spoke to Indian Captain Smit Machchhar, who was stabbed by the co-pilot during a flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv, and praised his courage during the mid-air crisis.PM Modi speaks to Indian pilot Smit Machchhar who was stabbed on flydubai plane. (PTI/AFP)During the conversation, Machchhar briefed the Prime Minister about his experience during the incident and what gave him the courage to respond in the face of the danger. Modi applauded the pilot for his bravery and wished him a speedy recovery, HT has learnt.Machchhar, who was seriously wounded during the attack on Wednesday, has since been shifted from Saudi Arabia to the United Arab Emirates for further treatment. India's ambassador to the UAE, Deepak Mittal, visited him and his family at the hospital and said the pilot was “in good health and recovering well”.What happened on the flydubai flightMachchhar was the captain of flydubai flight FZ1073, a Boeing 737 MAX 8 travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv with 174 passengers on board. While the aircraft was flying over Saudi Arabia, his Omani co-pilot allegedly attacked and stabbed him inside the cockpit.Despite being seriously injured, Machchhar is said to have managed to unlock the cockpit door. This allowed passengers and crew to enter and overpower the attacker. A plumber then allegedly took control of the aircraft as it was nose-diving and other pilots on the plane then diverted it to Tabuk in Saudi Arabia, where it made an emergency landing.Flight-tracking data showed the aircraft went into a sharp descent during the incident, losing more than 14,000 feet in less than a minute. The aircraft eventually landed safely in Tabuk.Deep DiveFollow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read MoreModiFlightPlaneGet the latest India News, breaking headlines, and real-time updates from across the nation. Stay informed on politics, government policies, crime, weather, and major national developments.