Bollywood superstars Ajay Devgn and Shah Rukh Khan have come forward to praise Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar for his extraordinary courage during a terrifying mid-air emergency. The pilot, who was operating a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv on September 30, faced a life-threatening situation when he was stabbed by his co-pilot in what is being described as a terror-driven attack. Despite his severe injuries, Captain Machchhar fought back, ensuring the safety of everyone on board.
Ajay Devgn took to his X handle to express his admiration for the pilot’s resilience. Calling him a hero in every sense of the word, the actor wrote, “There are heroes, and then there are those who show us what true courage looks like. Captain Smit Machchhar, you are a hero in every sense of the word. Wishing you strength and a speedy recovery.” Shah Rukh Khan also shared his heartfelt appreciation on his Instagram Story, commending the captain for his sense of duty. SRK noted that it is not easy to stare adversity in the face while putting one’s own safety on the line, adding that the entire country is proud of his selfless actions.
The incident on Flight FZ1073 was nothing short of a nightmare. Following the attack, the aircraft plummeted approximately 16,000 feet in just two minutes as the co-pilot allegedly attempted to bring down the plane. Captain Machchhar, despite being wounded, fiercely resisted the assailant while flight crew and passengers rushed to the flight deck to help restrain the attacker. The crew successfully regained control and performed an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. Remarkably, all 174 people on board disembarked safely without any injuries.
Following the harrowing ordeal, the Indian Embassy in the UAE confirmed that Captain Machchhar is currently recovering well under medical supervision. The bravery displayed by the Indian pilot has garnered widespread respect, with the film fraternity joining the nation in wishing him a swift return to health.