He opened the cabin door while injured and saved people. What is known about the pilot who became a hero?

Even though he was wounded, he opened the cabin door and saved people. What is known about the pilot who became a hero?

Machchhar had planned to engage in the family textile business, but at the age of 19, he became interested in aviation, which greatly worried his mother, reports the Reuters bureau in India. During a flight on September 30, his son was attacked and injured with a knife by the co-pilot in the cabin of the aircraft in mid-air.

According to Israeli officials, Smit Machchhar, lying covered in blood on the cabin floor, managed to press the door release button, after which one of the passengers and crew members were able to enter the cabin. After the co-pilot who attacked the aircraft commander was neutralized, the second crew on board, who were supposed to replace the pilots on the return flight, took control of the aircraft and made an emergency landing at the airport in the city of Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.

"He [Machchhar] fought bravely, risking his life, and prevented a terrorist attack similar to the events of September 11," Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Thursday.

Earlier, he wrote on the social network X: "Captain Smit Machchhar is a HERO. Facing immense danger and even after being seriously injured, he showed incredible courage and determination to save the lives of others."

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also thanked Machchhar for his "extraordinary courage."

"Despite severe knife wounds, he resisted, opened the cabin door, and allowed passengers and crew members to neutralize the attacking pilot, thereby preventing a disaster in the air. He saved the lives of 174 people, including citizens of Israel and other countries," the Israeli Prime Minister wrote on the social network X on Wednesday, wishing the Indian pilot a speedy and full recovery.

"He is a true hero," Netanyahu said.