Indian Captain Recounts Harrowing Mid-Air Attack, Praises PM Modi
Translated & summarized from Kikar HaShabbat by baba
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Captain Smit Machchhar detailed a knife attack by his co-pilot and the plane's dive.
- He recounted crawling to the cockpit door to save 170 passengers.
- Machchhar spoke emotionally with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
- Israel suggests a religious-nationalist motive for the co-pilot's actions.
- An international investigation is ongoing, with Israel seeking involvement.
In a phone call with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Machchhar described the terrifying moments of the assault and the subsequent dive.
Machchhar recounted fighting for his life after being severely wounded. "I fell to the floor and felt the plane plummeting," he said, knowing that "if I don't get up now, this is the end." He crawled to the cockpit door, determined to save the 170 passengers. "If I make just one last push... the door is right there.
During the call, which was broadcast live in India, Machchhar became emotional, telling Modi that he recited a Hindu prayer and believes God saved him. Modi responded with warmth, expressing pride in the captain's courage and composure, stating the entire nation was praying for him.
An international investigation into the incident is ongoing, with the Omani co-pilot also transferred to the UAE for questioning. Israeli officials believe the co-pilot's motive was nationalist-religious rather than suicidal, with Prime Minister Netanyahu suggesting "extreme Islamist brainwashing." However, a senior Israeli source indicated the co-pilot likely acted as a "lone wolf," with no confirmed link to Iran, contrary to claims by U.S. President Donald Trump.
Israel's initial public statements labeling the event a terror attack aimed at disrupting the Abraham Accords angered the UAE, who conveyed strong messages to Jerusalem, criticizing premature conclusions before the investigation's completion. Despite tensions, Israel is seeking to participate in the investigation, hoping to gain observer status in the co-pilot's questioning in Abu Dhabi, following Saudi Arabia's refusal to allow Israeli involvement.
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