Jerusalem, Sept. 30 -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday (local time) commended Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar for his "extraordinary bravery" after the Dubai-based Indian pilot's heroics saved the day aboard flydubai flight FZ1073, amid an altercation between the two pilots in the cockpit while the other one allegedly attempted to crash the plane, Israel's i24 News reported.

The pilot fought back despite being stabbed mid-flight, successfully preventing a catastrophic aviation disaster and saving 174 lives.

In a statement shared on X, Prime Minister Netanyahu hailed the pilot's resilience and presence of mind under life-threatening circumstances. He further noted that Machchhar's courage ensured the survival o...