Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday spoke to the wife and parents of Captain Smit Machchhar, the Indian pilot who was seriously injured during an alleged mid-air attack aboard a flydubai flight bound for Tel Aviv, Government of India sources said.
“Captain Smit Machchhar is a HERO. In the face of the gravest danger and despite being seriously injured, he showed immense courage and an unwavering resolve to protect the lives of others. The Indian Embassy in Saudi Arabia has been in contact with Machchhar’s family and Saudi authorities as he receives treatment at a hospital in Tabuk. The cause of the cockpit attack remains under investigation. Flydubai has temporarily suspended flights to and from Israel following the incident.
During the interaction, Modi applauded the bravery of Machchhar, whose actions helped save hundreds of lives and avert a major tragedy, the sources said. The Prime Minister also stressed that Indian missions were providing all possible assistance to the family and ensuring that the necessary support was extended, the sources said. His valour helped save hundreds of lives and avert a great tragedy,” Modi said in a post on X. The embassy has said it is extending all possible assistance. Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other Israeli officials have also praised Machchhar’s actions, with Netanyahu describing him as a “true hero” and saying he helped save the lives of 174 people on board.
