PM Modi Praises Captain Smit Machhar For Preventing 9/11 Like Tragedy

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a video call with Captain Smit Machhar, the brave FlyDubai pilot who thwarted a co-pilot's attempt to crash a plane. PM Modi lauded his courage, comparing the averted disaster to the 9/11 attacks, while the pilot credited his faith for the survival of the passengers.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a detailed video call with Captain Smit Machhar, the courageous pilot of FlyDubai, to inquire about his well-being and health. During the conversation, the Prime Minister expressed his deep appreciation for the pilot's bravery and wished him a speedy recovery, while pM Modi told Captain Smit that the entire nation is proud of his actions, which saved hundreds of lives during a critical mid-air crisis. The interaction was deeply emotional, with Captain Smit becoming visibly moved while speaking to the Prime Minister, while in a touching moment, PM Modi comforted him, saying that if he couldn't be emotional in front of the Prime Minister, then where else could he be.

The Heroic Act and the Pilot's Experience

During the video call, Captain Smit Machhar shared his harrowing experience and explained how he found the strength to handle the situation. He recounted the moments when the co-pilot attempted to crash the aircraft while it was en route from Dubai to Tel Aviv. Captain Smit described the intense struggle, stating that at one point, he felt the plane was going to fall. Despite the extreme danger and the physical injuries he sustained, he didn't give up. He mentioned that he did everything within his power to stabilize the situation, while captain Smit also shared a personal detail about his faith, mentioning that he was reciting the Hanuman Chalisa during the crisis because he couldn't bear to see everyone perish. He humbly stated that it wasn't him, but Lord Hanuman who saved everyone on board.

PM Modi Compares Incident to 9/11

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also highlighted Captain Smit's bravery during a program marking the 100th anniversary of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). The Prime Minister stated that the pilot had prevented an incident similar to the 9/11 terrorist attacks in the United States. This reference was to the 2001 attacks where Al-Qaeda terrorists hijacked passenger planes and crashed them. PM Modi noted that Captain Smit showed immense patience, wisdom, and courage in stopping the co-pilot's attempt to crash the FlyDubai flight, while he mentioned that even Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had acknowledged that this Indian pilot had foiled a 9/11-like attack. The Prime Minister emphasized that Smit's bravery fills every Indian with pride and that the entire world is proud of him.

Medical Recovery and National Recognition

The incident resulted in Captain Smit Machhar sustaining serious injuries while protecting the passengers, while after the struggle, the aircraft made an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, on Wednesday, September 30. Captain Smit received emergency medical treatment there before being airlifted to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for further care. Despite being far from home, Captain Smit expressed that he doesn't feel distant from his country and remains deeply connected to Indian culture, while pM Modi remarked that the pilot has shown the world the true meaning of non-violence and assured him that the entire country stands with him. Previously, on October 1, PM Modi had also praised Captain Smit on social media, calling him a hero and highlighting his unwavering resolve and courage despite being severely injured. The Prime Minister's post emphasized that Captain Smit's bravery prevented a major tragedy and saved hundreds of lives.