WASHINGTON, October 6 (HS): The US House of Representatives has passed a resolution honouring Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar for his courage in foiling an attempted terrorist attack aboard Flydubai Flight 1073 on September 30.

The resolution recognises Machchhar for protecting passengers after the first officer attacked him in the cockpit and attempted to seize control of the aircraft. Despite sustaining serious injuries, Machchhar managed to unlock the cockpit door, allowing off-duty pilots and others on board to intervene.

The aircraft, which was flying from Dubai to Tel Aviv, was subsequently diverted and landed safely at Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia. The resolution also commends the off-duty pilots, cabin crew and passengers who helped secure the aircraft and restrain the attacker.

The bipartisan resolution condemns the attack as an act of terrorism and an attack on the safety of international civil aviation. It also calls for a full and expeditious investigation by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, with the United States and Israel to be kept informed.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Indrani Sarkar