Captain Smit Machchhar
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'Not afraid to die': flydubai attacker's chilling admission about crashing plane in Israel
World | Oct 04, 2026, 11:39 PM ISTA report has claimed that Hamam al-Hammami, the Omani co-pilot of the flydubai flight, has told investigators that he wanted to crash the plane in Israel and he was not afraid to die.
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Iran rejects link to flydubai incident, calls it 'worn-out tactic' by Israel to divert attention
World | Oct 04, 2026, 11:39 PM ISTDismissing reports linking it to flydubai incident, Iran has said it remains prepared to defend itself. It also called the reports a 'worn-out tactic' to divert attention from Israel's actions in Gaza.
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'Co-pilot got up to offer namaz, then attacked me': Smit Machchhar tells Netanyahu what happened
World | Oct 04, 2026, 09:11 AM ISTCaptain Smit Machchhar told Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu how the flydubai FZ1073 cockpit attack unfolded, recalling the sudden assault, his struggle to open the cockpit door and how passengers helped stop the attacker.
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Who were the 2 extra pilots on flydubai flight who stepped in during cockpit attack?
World | Oct 04, 2026, 06:43 AM ISTTwo additional flydubai pilots travelling as passengers stepped in during the FZ1073 cockpit attack and helped stabilise the aircraft before it landed safely in Tabuk. Their identities remain undisclosed.
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Benjamin Netanyahu calls flydubai captain Smit Machchhar a 'true hero', invites him to Israel
World | Oct 04, 2026, 07:15 AM ISTNetanyahu praised Indian flydubai Captain Smit Machchhar for his role in preventing the attempted mid-air attack on Flight FZ1073. Netanyahu called him a hero of Israel, India and the world and invited him to light a torch at Israel’s Independence Day ceremony.
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'Religious women ruined by mixed-gender workplaces': flydubai attacker boasted misogynistic views
World | Oct 03, 2026, 06:01 PM ISTIn several deleted posts, Hamam al-Hammami, the attacker of the flydubai incident, spoke about difficulties his mother encountered while searching for a prospective wife for him. He reportedly wanted his future wife to wear a niqab, which covers the face, and give up work after marriage.
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'We are proud of you': Dubai's Crown Prince meets flydubai hero pilot Captain Smit Machchhar
World | Oct 03, 2026, 06:02 PM ISTDubai's Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum thanked Captain Smit Machchhar for helping avert a major tragedy and said the flydubai pilot "embodied the highest degrees of courage and responsibility".
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OPINION | India must honour its brave national hero
India | Oct 03, 2026, 02:55 PM ISTFor Israelis, Captain Smit is no less than an angel. They are also asking their government to honour him. His valour was celebrated at all major thoroughfares in Israel.
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IAF chief praises Smit Machchhar, calls him exceptionally brave: 'He showed great physical resolve'
India | Oct 03, 2026, 02:38 PM ISTThe remarks from the IAF chief came days after Smit Machchhar was seriously injured during an attack by his co-pilot aboard flydubai flight FZ1073 on September 30.
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Flydubai co-pilot attacked Captain Machchhar with crash axe, tried to take control of plane: UAE
World | Oct 03, 2026, 01:30 PM ISTThe UAE says a Flydubai co-pilot attacked the captain with the cockpit's crash axe and tried to take control of the aircraft during an incident that nearly caused a crash. Passengers and crew intervened to subdue him and stabilise the plane.
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Captain Smit Machchhar honoured with Rs 1 crore by Mankind Pharma for bravery on Flydubai flight
India | Oct 03, 2026, 11:18 AM ISTCaptain Smit Machchhar, the Indian pilot injured while thwarting an alleged attempt to hijack a Flydubai flight, has received a Rs 1 crore reward from Mankind Pharma. The company praised his courage, while the Federation of Indian Pilots sought a bravery award for him.
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Shah Rukh Khan to Salman Khan, celebs hail Captain Smit Machchhar's bravery after flydubai incident
Entertainment | Oct 03, 2026, 02:27 PM ISTCaptain Smit Machchhar's courage during a mid-air emergency has earned widespread appreciation. Several Bollywood celebrities, including Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Ranveer Singh, Vicky Kaushal and others, have lauded the pilot's bravery.
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Omani co-pilot who attacked Captain Machchhar has been identified as Hamam Alhamami: Report
World | Oct 03, 2026, 07:11 AM ISTCiting sources, the report further stated that the Omani co-pilot had spent most of his time outside the country, particularly in Syria, where he was influenced by extremist ideas before travelling to the UAE.
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Another conflict brewing in Middle East? Netanyahu vows to exact 'heavy price' over flydubai fiasco
World | Oct 02, 2026, 10:50 PM ISTEarlier, Netanyahu said the suspect who allegedly tried to crash a Flydubai flight bound for Israel had undergone “Islamist, radical indoctrination”. He did not provide details about who may have radicalised him, saying Israel was cooperating with the UAE’s investigation.
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UAE declares flydubai flight incident an 'act of terror', hails pilot Smit Machchhar as hero
World | Oct 02, 2026, 06:55 PM ISTThe UAE has termed the flydubai incident an "act of terrorism", while lauding pilot Captain Smit Machchhar in helping averting a major tragedy. The development comes a day after the UAE ordered a probe into the incident and constituted a team.
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From Machchhar to Hathi, Ghoda: Exceptional story of Gujarati surnames behind Captain Smit's valour
India | Oct 03, 2026, 12:00 AM ISTMachchhar is an established Gujarati surname, found among communities including Nagar Brahmins and Lohanas. Gujarat also has a distinctive tradition of surnames that are derived from animals, birds or insects.
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Varun Dhawan, Anupam Kher, Paresh Rawal honour Captain Smit Machchhar's bravery | See reactions
Entertainment | Oct 02, 2026, 06:00 PM ISTActors Paresh Rawal and Varun Dhawan have heaped praise on Captain Smit Machchhar, who saved the lives of 180 passengers during an attack on a Flydubai flight.
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'Highest ideals of courage': Demands grow for Ashoka Chakra for flydubai hero Captain Smit Machchhar
India | Oct 02, 2026, 06:39 PM ISTShiv Sena MP Milind Deora and many others have called that Ashoka Chakra, India's highest peacetime gallantry award, must be conferred to Captain Smit Machchhar, as his actions helped in saving 174 lives.
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OPINION | Incredible, unthinkable, a miracle: Captain Smit brings glory to India!
India | Oct 02, 2026, 04:37 PM ISTCaptain Smit showed excellent presence of mind during the attempted terrorist attack, fought his terrorist co-pilot and saved 174 lives. Had he not been there, another 9/11 tragedy could have taken place, and the world would have drowned in sorrow.
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Israeli tourists hail Captain Smit Machchhar, hold posters for him in Manali
offbeat | Oct 02, 2026, 02:01 PM ISTTwo videos from Manali show tourists, apparently from Israel, holding posters praising Captain Smit Machchhar and thanking him for his actions during the Flydubai flight incident. The group also interacts with Indian tourists and locals, shares snacks and praises the people of India.