New Delhi, 01 October (H.S.): India, Israel and the United States, along with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), have praised Captain Smit Machchhar for his courage during the mid-air emergency aboard a flydubai flight and wished the injured Indian pilot a speedy recovery.

Machchhar has remained at the centre of international attention since the incident aboard flydubai flight FZ1073, which was travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv. Accounts of the episode said the captain was injured during a confrontation in the cockpit but continued to assist in efforts to bring the aircraft under control.

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar praised Machchhar for displaying exceptional courage and composure under extremely difficult circumstances.

Jaishankar said the captain’s actions had helped save hundreds of lives and avert what could have been a major tragedy. He also joined people around the world in saluting Machchhar’s bravery and wishing him a speedy recovery.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also paid tribute to the Indian pilot, describing his actions as exceptionally courageous. Netanyahu said Machchhar continued to resist the alleged attacker despite being seriously injured, helped open the cockpit door and enabled passengers and crew members to intervene.

Netanyahu said the captain’s actions helped prevent a potentially major aviation disaster and credited him with helping save the lives of 174 people, including Israeli citizens and nationals of other countries. He wished Machchhar a full and speedy recovery and described him as a true hero.

Israel’s Ambassador to India, Reuven Azar, also expressed concern for Machchhar’s recovery. Azar described him as an experienced and talented Indian pilot and said the courage shown by Machchhar, along with that of Israeli and Emirati passengers and crew members, helped protect those aboard the flight.

US President Donald Trump also praised the Indian captain’s actions. Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office on Wednesday, Trump said he had learned about the incident from Netanyahu and described Machchhar as a hero. Trump said the pilot had been in serious condition but had nevertheless helped prevent the aircraft from crashing.

The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh also joined the tributes. RSS national publicity chief Sunil Ambekar praised Machchhar for going beyond his duty and helping save the lives of more than 170 people.

In a post on the organisation’s official X account, Ambekar described the captain as a true hero and said the country was proud of his courage and timely actions. He also wished Machchhar a speedy and complete recovery.

The incident aboard flight FZ1073 has drawn international attention, with authorities continuing to examine the circumstances surrounding the cockpit confrontation. The motive behind the incident has not been publicly established.

Machchhar’s response during the emergency, however, has prompted tributes from political leaders and public figures in several countries, highlighting the actions of the injured captain and others who helped bring the aircraft to safety.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar