- Gujarat announces Visisht Gujarat Garima Award for Smit Machchhar.
- Pilot was injured during an alleged cockpit attack.
- Flight carrying 174 people landed safely in Saudi Arabia.
- Special prayers held at Somnath for his recovery.
GG News Bureau
Gandhinagar, 1st Oct: The Gujarat government has announced the Visisht Gujarat Garima Award for Indian Flydubai pilot Captain Smit Machchhar, who was seriously injured after his co-pilot allegedly attacked him during a Dubai-Tel Aviv flight and helped prevent a potential disaster.
Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel announced the state honour on Thursday, praising Machchhar’s actions during the mid-air emergency. According to officials and reports, the captain was stabbed during the incident but managed to help open the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew members to intervene. The aircraft subsequently made an emergency landing at Tabuk in Saudi Arabia, with all 174 people on board safe.
Machchhar is currently receiving treatment in Saudi Arabia. Reports say he is in stable condition. His actions have drawn praise from leaders and officials, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Patel said Machchhar’s courage had brought recognition to Gujarat and India. The Chief Minister described the pilot as a “valiant son of Gujarat” and said the award would recognise his bravery and commitment to protecting passengers.
Officials said Machchhar is originally from Gujarat, although his family moved to Mumbai several years ago. Before joining Flydubai in 2022, he had served as a pilot with SpiceJet.
A special prayer was also organised at the Somnath temple for Machchhar’s recovery. The Somnath Trust said a Mahamrityunjaya Mantra Japa was conducted for his health and long life.
The Flydubai incident occurred on Flight FZ1073, which was travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv. The aircraft experienced a sharp loss of altitude during the emergency before diverting to Saudi Arabia. The circumstances surrounding the co-pilot’s actions remain under investigation.
