Captain Smith Machkar, the Indian pilot of the Dubai to Tel Aviv flight, heroically managed to save the lives of over 170 passengers by confronting an armed attack. Machkar, who is currently receiving treatment in a hospital in Abu Dhabi, described the details of the incident during a video call with Narendra Modi, the Prime Minister of India.
Incident Description and Efforts to Save Passengers
Machkar described the critical situation of the flight, stating that at the time of the attack, he felt the plane was going down and that this was his only chance to save the passengers. He said: "I was severely injured, and at that moment I realized that if I got up, the passengers' lives might be in danger." Nevertheless, he made every effort to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers to enter the cockpit and neutralize the attacker.
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Investigations and Reactions
The full details of this attack are still under investigation, but the flight's rescue team ultimately succeeded in making an emergency landing in Tabuk, located in the northwest of Saudi Arabia. Saudi officials have arrested Machkar's co-pilot, who attacked him, and are currently investigating him. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that initial investigations indicate the attacker was influenced by Islamic indoctrination.
Machkar, a father of two, was able to accurately assess the dire conditions due to his 17 years of experience in the aviation industry. In a video call with Modi, he stated: "God Hanuman gave me courage." He also noted that for the first time since the attack, he feels pride and believes this experience is a journey that requires time to heal.
Emphasizing the importance of his faith and beliefs during these difficult moments, Machkar said: "I do not view this as a wound, but as a journey." His heroic act has been praised not only in India but globally, with many world leaders hailing him as a hero.
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