India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi praises Indian pilot Smit Machchhar as a “hero” after he was wounded during an incident aboard a flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv. Multiple outlets report that Machchhar was attacked by his co-pilot, leading to a struggle for control of the aircraft.
In a post on social media, Modi says Machchhar, despite serious injury and “grave danger,” shows “immense courage” and an unwavering resolve to protect lives. NDTV and Business Line both highlight Modi’s characterization of Machchhar’s actions as saving hundreds of lives. Swarajya similarly frames the event as the averting of a hijacking attempt, while the Philippines outlet describes the co-pilot stabbing as the trigger for the fight for control. The core details shared across sources are Machchhar’s injury, the onboard confrontation, and Modi’s public commendation of his conduct.
All accounts agree that Machchhar is an Indian citizen employed by flydubai, a carrier owned by the Emirati government, and that Modi’s remarks come in response to the episode. Differences mainly concern the precise framing of the incident, with some outlets describing it as hijacking/attack and others emphasizing the control struggle.
