New Delhi, October 1 (Daily Kiran) : In a recent interview, Reuven Azar, the Israeli Ambassador to India, lauded Captain Smita Machhar for her exemplary bravery in the face of terrorism. He stated, “This is a remarkable example of how we can confront terrorism together and refuse to bow down to fear.”
Azar shared his insights during a special interview on Thursday, expressing uncertainty about whether Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Israeli counterpart, Benjamin Netanyahu, had discussed the incident. However, he emphasized that the counter-terrorism agencies of both nations maintain regular communication on such matters.
When asked about the roles of the Indian pilot and passengers during the incident, Azar remarked, “It is clear that fighting terrorism requires collaboration not just among governments but also among individuals, as we witnessed recently. This is a prime example of how we can shape our future collectively, standing firm against terrorists.”
The incident occurred on Wednesday when a FlyDubai flight, carrying over 170 passengers, faced an attempted sabotage by its co-pilot. Captain Smita intervened bravely, preventing the attack and opening the cockpit door to allow crew members and passengers to assist in restraining the assailant.
In response to questions about discussions between Prime Minister Modi and Prime Minister Netanyahu regarding the incident, Azar stated, “I am not sure if the leaders have spoken directly. However, our agencies are in constant touch, exchanging information and collaborating on necessary actions to combat terrorism at all levels.”
Earlier, Azar expressed his prayers for Captain Smita’s recovery, stating on social media, “Together with Israel, India, and the UAE, I pray for the safety of Captain Smita Machhar, an experienced and capable pilot of FlyDubai flight FZ1073. Her courage, along with that of other Israeli and Emirati passengers and crew members, saved the lives of 180 people.”
Leave a Comment