Netanyahu Salutes Indian Pilot Smit Machchhar After Flydubai Attack
Indian Flydubai Captain Smit Machchhar was praised by Benjamin Netanyahu after the cockpit attack on Flight FZ1073. (Image X.com)
By TRH World Desk
Israeli PM praises Captain Smit Machchhar for fighting back after being stabbed and opening the cockpit door, while Trump says he discussed the incident with Netanyahu.
New Delhi, October 1, 2026 —Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has praised Indian Flydubai Captain Smit Machchhar for his role in preventing a potentially catastrophic incident aboard a Dubai-Tel Aviv flight, calling him a “true hero.”
In a post on X, Netanyahu said Machchhar continued to resist after being stabbed and seriously injured in the cockpit. According to Netanyahu, the injured pilot managed to open the cockpit door, enabling passengers and crew to overpower the attacker.
“My salute to the Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar for his extraordinary bravery,” Netanyahu wrote.
Netanyahu said Machchhar’s actions helped save the lives of 174 people, including Israeli citizens and passengers of other nationalities. He also wished the Indian pilot a speedy and full recovery.
The Flydubai flight FZ1073, travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv, was diverted to Tabuk in Saudi Arabia after the violent cockpit incident. Arab News reported that the aircraft made a safe emergency landing and that all passengers and crew were accounted for. The airline said the underlying reasons and motives remained subject to a formal investigation.
Reports from Israeli media said Machchhar, despite sustaining serious stab wounds, used what Netanyahu’s spokesman described as the “last moments of his energy” to release the cockpit door. Passengers then entered the cockpit and helped subdue the attacker, while an off-duty pilot aboard the aircraft assisted in stabilising the plane.
The incident also prompted a conversation between US President Donald Trump and Netanyahu. According to The Times of Israel, Trump said he had spoken with Netanyahu about the apparent attempted hijacking and said the suspect may have been “perhaps a terrorist” or “perhaps a whack-job.” Trump also cautioned that he did not have independent confirmation of the claim that the attacker intended to crash the aircraft.
The Jerusalem Post reported that the injured Indian captain was treated in Tabuk, while passengers who helped restrain the attacker later returned to Israel.
India’s Embassy in Riyadh said Machchhar was receiving medical treatment in a hospital in Tabuk and was reported to be in stable condition. The mission said it remained in contact with his family and Saudi authorities.
The episode has drawn attention across India and the Middle East to the actions of Machchhar and the passengers and crew who intervened during the emergency.
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