India, Oct. 1 -- West Asia was pulled back from the precipice of another dangerous chapter amid the Iran-Gulf war after Indian pilot Smit Machchhar, his crew and brave passengers not only saved a flydubai flight to Tel Aviv from crashing in the Saudi Arabian desert, but also prevented it from being used as a missile against Ben Gurion Airport by the allegedly radicalised Omani co-pilot.

The Indian pilot, who was injured in the incident, has earned praises for his cockpit heroics that saved over 180 lives. "The incident that occurred yesterday, Captain Smit of India demonstrated remarkable patience, presence of mind, and courage. Indeed, as the Prime Minister of Israel stated today, an Indian prevented a 9/11-type tragedy," Prime Minister...