New Delhi, Oct. 1 -- External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday lauded Indian Captain Smit Machchhar for his "extraordinary courage" and "remarkable presence of mind" after the pilot was seriously injured during a cockpit attack aboard a flydubai flight, saying his actions saved hundreds of lives and averted a major tragedy.

In a post on X, Jaishkar prayed for the captain's speedy recovery, stating, "Captain Smit Machchhar's extraordinary courage and remarkable presence of mind, even in the face of grave danger, saved hundreds of lives yesterday and averted a major tragedy. Join the countless voices from across the world in saluting his valour and praying for his speedy recovery."

Captain Machchhar was piloting flydubai flight F...