FlyDubai attack: Hero Captain Smit Machchhar to be honored with Vishisht Gujarat Garima Award. Today’s news
The FlyDubai captain who was stabbed by his co-pilot in an alleged attempt to crash the plane has been hailed as a hero. Captain Smit Machchhar, who hails from Mumbai, was seriously injured in Wednesday’s attack as he successfully rescued more than 174 passengers on board.
Captain Smit Machchhar will be honored by Gujarat Govt
Captain Smit Machchhar would be decorated by the Gujarat government for his extraordinary bravery. On Thursday, CM Bhupendra Patel announced that Machchhar would be honored with the Visisht Gujarat Garima Award for his bravery.
“The bravery of Captain Smit Machhar, the pilot of the Israel-bound flight, is today being praised by the whole world. Despite being covered in blood as a result of the attack, he showed indomitable bravery to save the lives of 174 passengers – a feat that is deeply inspiring and commendable.”
“This brave son of Gujarat has illumined the name of Gujarat and the nation all over the world with his heroism. The spirit of Gujarat flowing in his veins fills us all with immense pride. In tribute to his extraordinary act of bravery and humanity, the Government of Gujarat will award Captain Smit Machhar with the ‘Visisht Award. Gujarat Garima
“The whole of Gujarat is praying for his speedy recovery. The empathy and prayers of the nation’s citizens are with Captain Smit Machhar,” CM Bhupendra Patel added on X.
Officials said the pilot hails from Gujarat but his family had moved to Mumbai long ago.
Where is Captain Smit Machchhar now?
Machchar was recovering in a Saudi Arabian hospital after suffering serious injuries after being stabbed by his co-pilot in the cockpit of Flydubai flight FZ1073.
Health update
According to ANI, he was airlifted to Dubai for further treatment.
The Indian Embassy in Riyadh had earlier shared through a social media post that Machchar had been “admitted to a hospital in the northwestern Saudi city of Tabuk and is receiving necessary medical care.”
The Embassy and Consulate General of India in Jeddah said they were closely monitoring Machchhar’s health and were in touch with his family.
Several people across the country were seen praying for Machchhar’s speedy recovery.
Special prayers and continuous Mahamrityunjaya Mantra Japa were conducted at the Shree Somnath Temple for the health and long life of the FlyDubai hero captain, ANI reported.
What happened on the FlyDubai flight
A FlyDubai flight was flying from Dubai to Tel Aviv on Wednesday when it broadcast distress signals. It made a steep descent of more than 17,000 feet from an altitude of 34,000 feet before being diverted to Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz Airport in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, where it landed successfully.
