Indian Captain Recounts Mid-Air Terror, Praises PM Modi

The Indian captain of a Flydubai flight, Smith Machchar, has spoken for the first time since a dramatic incident in the Middle Eastern skies, recounting the moments of terror when his co-pilot attacked him with a knife and attempted to crash the plane. In a phone call with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Machchar described the ordeal from his hospital bed in the UAE, where he is recovering from severe injuries to his left arm. During the live-broadcast conversation, Machchar became emotional, telling Modi that the Prime Minister was his greatest role model and that Modi's call filled him with immense pride. Machchar explained that after being stabbed, he fell to the floor and felt the plane plummeting. He knew he had to act immediately, crawling towards the door and managing to open it, which allowed passengers and crew to enter, preventing a catastrophic crash. He stated that his final push to open the door saved the lives of 170 passengers, driven by a desire to live and prevent others from dying. He also shared that he recited a Hindu prayer during the struggle, believing God saved him.

Prime Minister Modi praised Machchar's courage and composure, stating the entire nation was praying for him and that his bravery saved many lives. The government of Gujarat, Machchar's home state, announced it would award him a special medal for his bravery. Meanwhile, 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 nationalistic-religious rather than personal, with Prime Minister Netanyahu suggesting "extreme Islamist brainwashing." However, a senior Israeli source indicated the co-pilot likely acted as a "lone wolf" without a confirmed link to Iran, contradicting claims made by U.S. President Donald Trump. Israel's initial public statements labeling the event a terror attack aimed at destabilizing the Abraham Accords angered the UAE, who conveyed strong messages to Jerusalem, asserting that Israel had jumped to conclusions before the investigation concluded. The UAE finds the use of the word "terror" particularly sensitive, as it implies a lack of security and control over their airspace. Despite the tension, Israel is seeking to participate in the investigation, hoping to leverage its close ties with Abu Dhabi after Saudi Arabia initially denied Israeli involvement. Israel plans to send an investigative team to the UAE soon, seeking permission to act at least as observers in the co-pilot's interrogation.