India, Oct. 1 -- Prime Minister Narendra Modi has hailed Captain Smit Machchhar, who was the pilot that was stabbed during an alteraction which sparked a major airline scare in West Asia.

Machchhar, an Indian pilot, was stabbed by his co-pilot during a physical altercation in the cockpit. The fight in the cockpit of the Boeing 737 Max B flydubai plane resulted in a sudden plunge of 14,300 feet in roughly 30 seconds over northern Saudi Arabia.

The plane broadcast a hijack alert and diverted to Tabuk, where it landed safely.

Taking to X, PM Modi hailed the effort and wished a speedy recovery for the Indian pilot.

"Captain Smit Machchhar is a HERO. In the face of the gravest danger and despite being seriously injured, he showed immense c...