Netanyahu praises Indian pilot after reported cockpit attack

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has praised Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar after a reported attack in the cockpit of a flydubai aircraft. Netanyahu described Machchhar as a hero and said the pilot showed exceptional bravery during the confrontation. The supplied material says Machchhar was stabbed and seriously injured during the incident.

Despite his injuries, Machchhar reportedly fought back and opened the cockpit door. That allowed passengers and other crew members to enter and attack the perpetrator, according to the account cited in the source material. Netanyahu’s comments focused on the pilot’s actions during the emergency.

He said Machchhar’s response helped passengers and crew members intervene against the attacker. The material provided does not identify the alleged attacker, explain the circumstances that led to the confrontation or provide details about the pilot’s medical condition. It also does not include information about the flight’s route, the number of passengers or the aircraft’s eventual destination.

Those details could not be independently expanded from the supplied source. Netanyahu’s praise was presented as a public acknowledgment of Machchhar’s conduct during the incident. The account attributes the description of his actions to the Israeli prime minister and does not include comments from the pilot, flydubai or other officials.