Goa, Oct. 1 -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has praised Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar for his actions during a mid-air incident aboard a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv, saying his response helped prevent a potentially catastrophic disaster.

Flight FZ1073 was carrying 174 passengers when an altercation broke out in the cockpit. According to Israeli officials and reports, the co-pilot allegedly attacked Machchhar and attempted to interfere with the aircraft's controls. The plane subsequently made an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.

Netanyahu, in a post on X, saluted Machchhar for what he described as "extraordinary bravery". He said the Indian captain continued to resist despite being stabbed and seriou...