By Thursday morning, the praise for Captain Smit Machchhar had spread well beyond the aviation world. His actions drew widespread praise from political leaders, passengers who were on board, and people who know him.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi set the tone in India, writing on X that Machchhar showed immense courage while seriously injured and that his valour helped save hundreds of lives. The Gujarat chief minister, Bhupendra Patel, added a regional note. He said the state and the country are immensely proud, calling the pilot a true reflection of resilience and courage. He also described Machchhar as a brave son of Gujarati origin who made the whole country proud on the global stage.
The government’s formal tributes followed. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar commended his extraordinary courage and remarkable presence of mind. Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu praised him for safeguarding passengers despite serious injuries, and Minister of State Murlidhar Mohol called him a true hero. The Indian Embassy in Israel offered a resounding salute and wishes for a swift and full recovery.
Jerusalem: a hero, and a terror attack
Israel’s reaction carried a second message. Netanyahu praised Machchhar’s bravery, and Israel’s ambassador to Cyprus, Reuven Azar, called him an experienced and gifted hero and used the moment to call for unity against terrorism. Defense Minister Israel Katz went further, calling the incident an attempted jihadist terrorist attack and saying the alleged attacker intended to crash the aircraft. Katz also said the episode reinforces a feeling of insecurity that has defined Israeli life since October 7.
Israel’s Foreign Ministry, notably, credited more than one party. It named the Indian captain, Israeli passengers and Emirati crew members as having joined forces to save 174 lives.
Washington: “the most amazing story”
President Donald Trump weighed in after speaking with Netanyahu. He said the pilot was in very bad shape, but in a way was a hero for opening the door. He also called it the most amazing story, crediting both the captain and the passengers who intervened. Trump said the co-pilot was perhaps a terrorist or perhaps a whack job, but he noted that he could not independently verify the account he had been given.
The caution from the airline
Not everyone has rushed to a conclusion about motive. Flydubai urged all parties to avoid premature speculation while authorities gather the facts. It has also temporarily suspended flights to and from Israel pending investigation. Saudi authorities have taken a suspect into custody, but the attacker’s motive and identity have not been officially established. That gap matters. The leaders praising Machchhar are describing his courage, which is well documented. Some are also attaching a motive to the attacker that investigators have not confirmed.
Closer to home
The warmest tributes came from people who knew him before the headlines. A former next-door neighbour in Mumbai, Jinat Shah, told ANI that Machchhar is talented, soft-spoken, kind-hearted and good-natured, and wished him a fast recovery. CNN, which described him as a jovial pilot and father, also reported that his former flight instructor, Kean, watched the news from New Zealand and was full of praise for the young man he once taught.
For now, Machchhar is recovering after surgery and is reported to be in stable condition. The praise has come from several capitals, with different framings: national pride in India, solidarity against terrorism in Israel, and a “most amazing story” in Washington. Whatever investigators eventually conclude about the attacker, none of those accounts disputes the central fact that a badly wounded captain got the door open.
