Pilots Heroic Struggle to Foil Hijacking Attempt on FlyDubai Flight

Jerusalem, October 4 (Daily Kiran) : Captain Smita Machhar, the pilot of a FlyDubai flight bound for Israel, recently shared the terrifying moments inside the cockpit when he realized his co-pilot was attacking him. This incident occurred during a flight that was allegedly targeted for hijacking.

In a conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Machhar detailed the ordeal that left him severely injured. Netanyahu has since invited both Machhar and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to light a special torch at Israel’s upcoming Independence Day celebrations.

Machhar described the flight’s beginning as routine. He was focused on flying while his co-pilot engaged in prayer, a common practice among local passengers and crew. Initially, he had no reason to suspect anything was amiss. However, within minutes, he felt a sudden, forceful blow to the back of his head.

He initially thought the aircraft had experienced a significant malfunction. “I felt that the plane was in trouble,” he recalled. It soon became clear that the danger was not mechanical but rather posed by the individual next to him in the cockpit.

Despite his attempts to defend himself, Machhar’s vision was severely impaired from the initial blows. He sensed that the aircraft was descending rapidly, and his memories of that moment remain fragmented. He recalled trying to open the cockpit door, but the attacker managed to close it again.

Amid the chaos, he realized he had one last chance to stop the descent of the plane. Despite his injuries, he resolved to try opening the door again. “I had one last ounce of strength left,” he said. “If I did nothing, my death was certain.” With everything he had, he managed to reach the door and open it.

Fortunately, people outside were ready and acted swiftly to regain control of the situation. Netanyahu praised Machhar’s bravery during their conversation, expressing astonishment at his ability to remain calm under such pressure.

“What you did was extraordinary, nothing short of a miracle,” Netanyahu remarked. He emphasized that Machhar not only saved lives onboard but also restored faith in the resilience of brave individuals against evil, no matter how dangerous it may be.

“You are a hero of Israel, a hero of India, and a hero of the world,” Netanyahu declared. He also extended best wishes from his family to Machhar’s, acknowledging the pilot’s family and their shared connection to the global community.

As the conversation concluded, Netanyahu invited Machhar to visit Israel again, expressing hope for a memorable and historic reunion. “Thank you for everything you have done,” he said.