Abu Dhabi, October 3 (Daily Kiran) : Crown Prince Hamdan bin Mohammed of Dubai visited Captain Smitt Machhar, a courageous Indian pilot, at the hospital on Saturday. The visit followed an incident involving FlyDubai flight FZ1073, during which Captain Machhar was injured in an in-flight attack.
After meeting with the pilot, Hamdan shared his admiration on the social media platform X, stating, “Captain Smitt Machhar exemplifies courage, responsibility, and a profound concern for human life. We honor and appreciate him on behalf of the leadership of our country. We take pride that he is part of our team and the UAE’s story, reflecting a nation that values compassion, peace, and life.”
Hamdan bin Mohammed also serves as the UAE’s Defense Minister and heads Dubai’s Executive Council.
Previously, the Indian embassy in the UAE reported that Captain Machhar is responding well to treatment and showing signs of improvement. The embassy stated it is in contact with his family and local authorities to provide all possible support for his recovery.
In a post on X, the Indian mission expressed gratitude for the excellent medical care Captain Machhar is receiving and mentioned their ongoing communication with his family and local officials to aid in his swift recovery. They also thanked the UAE government for its support and encouraged prayers for the pilot’s health.
Captain Machhar sustained injuries while flying from Dubai to Israel when he was attacked by another pilot with a knife, causing the aircraft to descend rapidly. Despite his injuries, he bravely confronted the assailant and opened the cockpit door, allowing passengers to subdue the attacker.
After the assailant was restrained, Captain Machhar received first aid and was stabilized before an emergency landing was made in Saudi Arabia.
On Friday, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Captain Machhar via video call, praising his bravery, presence of mind, and composure during the attack. The Prime Minister acknowledged that Captain Machhar’s actions helped save the lives of passengers and crew members on board.
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