Gujarat announces state honour for pilot Smit Machchhar

The Gujarat government on Thursday announced that Indian pilot Smit Machchhar, who thwarted his co-pilot’s alleged attempt to crash a Flydubai flight despite being stabbed, will be honoured with the ‘Visisht Gujarat Garima Award’ for his bravery.

Captain Machchhar, who is being treated in Saudi Arabia, has been widely praised for his actions during the incident, which helped save the lives of passengers on board.

A



special prayer was also organised at the famous Somnath temple for his speedy recovery.

“The courage of Captain Smit Machchhar, the pilot of the flight headed to Israel, is being saluted by the entire world today. Despite being drenched in blood due to the attack, he displayed indomitable bravery to save the lives of 174 passengers — a feat that is profoundly inspiring and commendable,” Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel said in a post on X.