02/10/2026
Share:
02/10/2026
Share:
DUBAI, Oct 2: UAE diplomatic adviser Anwar Gargash has joined growing praise for Indian flydubai pilot Captain Smit Machchhar, who is being hailed as a hero for his actions during a mid-flight altercation on September 30.
Machchhar has been credited with acting quickly during the incident aboard flydubai Flight FZ1073, which was traveling from Dubai to Israel before diverting to Saudi Arabia.
In a post on Friday, Gargash, diplomatic adviser to the UAE President, said the Indian pilot deserved every bit of appreciation for his bravery.
“He embodied the meaning of courage and responsibility in the face of a dangerous terrorist act and a potential disaster. His professionalism and moral sense in the darkest of circumstances make him a true hero,” Gargash said.
Gargash also cautioned against oversimplifying the incident or promoting conspiracy theories, stressing that “vigilance and caution remain essential in confronting the risks of extremism and terrorism.”
UAE authorities are investigating whether the incident was linked to any terrorist activity or purpose, or involved prior planning or direction, UAE Attorney-General Counsellor Dr Hamad Saif Al Shamsi said Thursday.
Al Shamsi ordered the formation of a special Public Prosecution investigation team to gather evidence, establish the facts and determine the circumstances and motives surrounding the incident.
The UAE General Civil Aviation Authority has described the incident as a security incident, saying the investigation covers both operational and security aspects. The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs has also said it is monitoring the situation.
Pilot recovering and stable
During a phone call with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday, Machchhar recounted how he was injured during the altercation but managed to open the cockpit door, reportedly allowing passengers and cabin crew to intervene and bring the situation under control.
Machchhar told Modi that although he was “fighting for my life,” he knew he “couldn't let everyone die.”
Modi praised the pilot as a hero and said all of India was praying for his recovery.
Machchhar is currently stable and recovering in the UAE, where he was flown for medical treatment, according to India's Ambassador to the UAE Deepak Mittal, who visited the pilot and his family at the hospital.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had earlier also praised Machchhar for his “extraordinary bravery,” saying the pilot fought back despite being wounded and helped prevent what could have been a catastrophic mid-air disaster.
