Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 04:54am on 01 Oct 2026,Thursday India Global
India’s Embassy in Riyadh said Flydubai pilot Captain Smit Machchhar, injured while helping avert an in-flight crisis, is currently stable and receiving medical treatment at a hospital in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. The embassy and Consulate General in Jeddah are monitoring his condition, awaiting a detailed health update and remaining in contact with his family to provide assistance. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised Machchhar as a “true hero,” saying he was seriously injured but resisted the attacker, opened the cockpit door and enabled passengers and crew to overpower the assailant. Netanyahu said Machchhar saved 174 people. Israeli diplomat Reuven Azar said the pilot and others helped save 180 souls, while wishing Machchhar a full recovery.
