Israel will award Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar its highest civilian bravery honour after he foiled a cockpit attack on a flydubai flight. The recognition highlights how his actions, aided by passengers, saved 172 lives and underscored the need for global cooperation against terror.

Benjamin Netanyahu spoke to Indian pilot Smit Machchhar after he foiled an alleged cockpit attack on a flydubai flight. Israel hailed his actions publicly and invited him to its Independence Day ceremony.

Benjamin Netanyahu spoke to Indian pilot Smit Machchhar after he foiled an alleged cockpit attack on a flydubai flight. Israel hailed his actions publicly and invited him to its Independence Day ceremony.

A UAE presidential adviser praised Indian captain Smit Machchhar after he thwarted a cockpit attack on a flydubai flight. His actions helped keep 174 passengers safe and renewed calls for vigilance against extremism.

The Indian pilot who fought off a savage attack by his copilot and helped prevent an apparent hijack of a Flydubai plane heading to Israel with more than 170 people on board is being hailed as a hero.

The Indian pilot who fought off a savage attack by his copilot and helped prevent an apparent hijack of a Flydubai plane heading to Israel with more than 170 people on board is being hailed as a hero.

Captain Smit Machchhar was seriously injured after being stabbed in the cockpit of flydubai flight FZ1073 but still helped foil an alleged crash attempt. Israeli leaders hailed the Indian pilot's bravery as the intervention of passengers and crew saved all 174 people on board.

Captain Machchhar is a seasoned pilot who currently serves as a direct-entry Captain with UAE-based carrier Flydubai.