Captain Smit Machchhar, an Indian pilot, is being praised for his courage after reportedly fighting off a violent attacker in the plane’s cockpit despite having already been stabbed multiple times. The attempted terror attack aboard a Flydubai flight to Tel Aviv, where it appears the attacker aimed to crash the plane into an area of Tel Aviv, killing all 174 passengers on board along with himself.
However, these plans would be foiled. Despite suffering serious injuries, Machchhar continued to fight back against the attacker, helping prevent the cockpit from being secured by force by providing others the opportunity to intervene. His fight for survival was not just for himself, but for everyone on board as well as citizens and tourists of Tel Aviv.
As crew and passengers joined in the fight, the chaos ultimately ended with the attacker being subdued.
The aircraft, which had issued a distress signal earlier, was diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, where it landed safely. All 174 passengers are reported safe and accounted for.
Machchhar himself also survived the ordeal and was taken to a hospital for treatment. His actions during the emergency are more than praiseworthy; they are a reminder that when faced with evil, good people with good hearts, who are full of courage, are still here and still ready to rise up.