Captain Smit Machchhar family is with him in Dubai now even as the ‘hero’ is recovering well at a hospital in the UAE.

Machchhar, who underwent an emergency surgery in Saudi Arabia, was airlifted for advanced medical care to the Military Hospital in Dubai, where a team of specialised doctors are closely monitoring him. His family from Mumbai met him at the hospital, and are receiving prompt updates on his health from the medical team.

Machchhar was piloting a Flydubai plane when he was stabbed mid-air by his co-pilot. In a video call with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Machchhar described the horror. “I was lying on the floor injured but I told myself to go for one last push to open the door from inside. Others came in and also played a role [in controlling the situation]. I was of course fighting for my own life but at the same time I knew I was not going to let others die,” he said.

The plane was carrying more than 170 passengers when it started sinking, plunging down to more than 17,000 ft.

Fellow passengers overpowered the attacker, after which two reserve pilots onboard safely landed the plane at Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia. The attacker had called out to the aircrew, yelling ‘kill me, kill me’ after he was tied up by the passengers.

Machchhar, who suffered multiple injuries to his limbs, chest, and upper abdominal area, is responding well to treatment and is expected to be out of hospital soon.

Meanwhile, the Federation of Indian Pilots (FIP) has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to recognise Captain Machchhar’s act of bravery by giving him a national bravery award or other appropriate national civilian recognition.

In a letter dated October 2, they asked the Prime Minister’s Office to consider Machchhar’s ‘extraordinary courage, exceptional leadership and exemplary devotion to duty’ and give him national recognition after verifying facts. – editor@nrifocus.com