Tel Aviv, Oct 2: India Ambassador to Israel JP Singh lauded Captain Smit Machchhar for his “courage and bravery” that averted a major tragedy and saved hundreds of lives aboard a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Israel.

Singh made the remarks at the India-Israel Festival & National Convention of Indian Jews in Tel Aviv, where he also wished the injured Indian pilot a speedy and complete recovery.

“Heartfelt tribute to the Hero Captain Smit Machchhar! At the India-Israel Festival & National Convention of Indian Jews in Tel Aviv today, Ambassador JP Singh lauded the courage and bravery of Captain Smit Machchhar, who helped save 174 lives aboard Flydubai Flight FZ1073, bound for Tel Aviv and said that his bravery has made the whole of Israel and the world proud. Ambassador Singh wished Captain Machchhar a speedy and complete recovery,” the Indian Embassy in Israel posted on X on Friday.

The remarks came amid growing international recognition of Captain Machchhar’s role in averting the threat aboard Flydubai flight FZ1073 on Wednesday.

During the incident, the co-pilot stabbed Captain Machchhar and the aircraft began to plummet. The Indian fought the assailant bravely and opened the cockpit door, following which passengers rushed to assist, entered the cockpit, and overpowered the attacker.

Once the attacker was subdued, the seriously wounded Indian pilot was stabilised until the aircraft made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia.

Saluting Captain Machchhar’s valour and courage once again, India on Thursday conveyed its deep appreciation for the admiration and support the brave Indian pilot has received from across the world for his act of gallantry and saving hundreds of lives.

In a statement late Thursday evening, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said that it continues to closely follow the health condition of Captain Machchhar.

“After receiving initial medical treatment in a hospital in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, he has now been shifted to Abu Dhabi for continued medical attention and recovery. Our Ambassador in UAE met Captain Machchhar in hospital and enquired about his well being,” the MEA stated.

“Earlier, he also met his family and assured all possible support for the Captain’s health and well-being. Our Embassy in Abu Dhabi and Consulate in Dubai are in close touch with the local authorities in the matter. We once again salute Captain Smit Machchhar’s valour and courage. We also convey our deep appreciation for the admiration and support he has received from across the world for his act of gallantry,” the statement added.

Tehran, Oct 1: Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi rejected on Thursday the British government’s claim that Iran has “played a part” in a recent incident near the Royal Air Force (RAF) Fairford, a base hosting the US Air Force in southwest England.

British police on Sunday detained five men, all in their 20s, on suspicion of “explosives and terrorism offences” in the Gloucestershire countryside near the air base after they were informed that three vans had been seen heading to the base, Xinhua News Agency reported.

Araghchi issued the denial in a post on social media platform X Thursday, a day after British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said in an interview with BBC News, “There are strong indications that Iran played a part in what happened over the weekend at RAF Fairford, but of course it remains an ongoing, complex, and serious police investigation.”

On Monday, the five individuals were all released on police bail after an examination of what was found in the vans and an investigation into the addresses linked to them across London.

“PM Burnham says the UK Government ‘can confirm our belief that we believe Iran to have played a part’ in the RAF Fairford incident,” said Araghchi, adding, “I can confirm Iran’s belief that releasing supposed terrorists working for foreign states really says it all. You’re barking up the wrong tree.”

Britain’s decision to grant the suspects bail was criticised by US officials, including President Donald Trump. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said he had been “disturbed” by the move.

Trump also said that the United States would win its war with Iran “very quickly”, claiming Tehran’s military capabilities had been severely degraded and Washington had established “virtually total control” of the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.

Trump made the remarks on Wednesday (local time) during a White House event marking National Hispanic Heritage Month, where he ranged across foreign policy issues including Iraq, Iran and Venezuela before turning to the theme of the celebration.

Mumbai, Oct 1: Israel’s Consul General to Midwest India, Yaniv Revach, on Thursday hailed Captain Smit Machchhar, the Indian pilot of FlyDubai flight FZ1073, who was seriously injured while averting a major in-flight crisis on Wednesday. Revach described Machchhar as a “true superhero” who “showed extraordinary courage and fought” to protect his passengers.

In an interview with media, Revach said that Israel and India are proud of Captain Smit Machchhar and that both nations stand together against terrorism.

“What happened yesterday was shocking. Innocent people boarded the plane expecting to reach their families safely, and instead their lives were put in danger. My message to the Israelis is very, very simple: we will never allow terror and fear to control our lives. We will continue to travel and live and stand strong together,” he said.

The co-pilot of a FlyDubai flight, which was carrying over 170 passengers, on Wednesday, tried to sabotage the aircraft and stabbed Captain Smit Machchhar, who was trying to prevent him from doing so.

At the time, the Boeing 737, cruising at about 34,000 feet, began dropping at roughly 23,000 feet per minute before reaching about 15,600 feet. However, Machchhar fought back the co-pilot, resisted him, and opened the cockpit door so that passengers and crew members could overpower him.

Revach said that the Indian pilot and Israeli passengers fought together to save the lives of people, terming it the “true spirit” of India-Israel friendship.

“Captain Smit is a true superhero. He risked his own life. He showed extraordinary courage and fought to protect his passengers. He was not just saving passengers, he was saving entire families, fathers, mothers, children from a huge tragedy. Captain Smit stood up for Israel. This is what friendship is all about. India and Israel are very proud of him. From the bottom of my heart, we salute you, Captain Smit. This is the true spirit of India-Israel friendship. We stand together against terror.”

Revach said that he is disappointed that international media reported the incident as if it was a fight between the pilots and described it as a “false narrative.” He stated that Israel and India have been working together in the fight against terrorism and both nations face the same challenges when it comes to the radical Islamic groups.

“I am deeply disappointed by the way the international media is reporting this incident. It was not a fight between two pilots. This is a false narrative. The media has responsibility, but unfortunately they have double standards. Another clear message I want to emphasise on, first of all, I am deeply concerned about the role of Qatar of spreading the anti-Israel narrative and promote radical Islam agenda.

“Qatar and Oman, they have ties with Iran, and it raises serious concerns, and this has to be stopped. Now I want to emphasise that Israel and India are working closely together for decades already on the fight against terrorism. Both countries face the same challenges when it comes to the radical Islamic groups and of course, their activities. And, I hope that we will continue to work together in order to confront these terror activities,” he added.

Revach emphasised that the story of Captain Smit is the “true story” of friendship between India and Israel and mentioned that he spoke to the Indian pilot’s family.

“I’m sure that his family is so proud of the way that they raised him that he actually fought against terror and he actually risked his own life to protect other people, the Israelis, on board the plane. I spoke to his family, and I will be honoured to meet them. The fact that he came from Mumbai makes it even more personal. Mumbai has given Israel a hero, and we will never forget it. His parents and his family should be extremely proud of the man they raised.”

He said that Israel trusts the UAE government and their security and expects Saudi Arabia to carry out a full and transparent investigation into the FlyDubai flight incident.

“First of all, I want to say that we fully trust the Emirati government and their security procedures. We also expect that the Saudis will conduct a full, transparent investigation. The attacker, we should not forget, was an Omani co-pilot. This raises serious concerns about radicalisation and hatred against Israelis. Again, I emphasise that we must fight terrorism, but we also must fight hatred and incitement that can lead to terrorism on social media and on media platforms. We will not allow terror to stop us from living our lives on a daily basis.”