Indian pilot Captain Smit Machhar will be honoured with the ‘Vishisht Gujarat Garima Award’ and a cash prize of Rs 2.5 million by the Gujarat government for his extraordinary bravery in saving 174 lives during a mid-air attack on a Flydubai flight. The announcement was made on Thursday, October 1, 2026, following the incident on Wednesday.
On Wednesday, September 30, 2026, Captain Machhar was piloting Flydubai flight FZ1073, a United Arab Emirates airline, from Dubai to Tel Aviv, Israel, with 174 passengers, including 27 children, on board. During the flight, an Omani co-pilot attacked Captain Machhar with a knife inside the cockpit, attempting to crash the aircraft. Despite being severely injured and bleeding, Captain Machhar managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew members to subdue the assailant. The plane, which had plummeted over 14,000 feet from an altitude of 34,000 feet during the attack, was safely diverted and landed at Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia.
Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel praised Captain Machhar’s courage, stating that his heroism brought pride not only to Gujarat but to the entire nation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also commended Captain Machhar’s bravery, speaking with his family on Thursday, October 1, 2026. Leaders worldwide, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former US President Donald Trump, have lauded Captain Machhar’s actions.
Captain Machhar is currently receiving treatment at a hospital in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, and his condition is stable. Reports indicate he is being prepared for transfer to Abu Dhabi for further medical care. The ‘Vishisht Gujarat Garima Award’ is being given in recognition of his exceptional courage and humanity.
United Arab Emirates authorities are investigating the cockpit attack, including potential terrorist links. Flydubai has suspended all flights to Israel pending the outcome of the investigation. The exact date for the ‘Vishisht Gujarat Garima Award’ ceremony has not yet been announced. The full sequence of events and the attacker’s true motive remain under investigation, and details regarding Captain Machhar’s long-term health and full recovery are also pending.
